Työmarkkinapolitiikka

Työmarkkinapolitiikka is a term used to describe the set of government policies and instruments aimed at regulating and supporting the functioning of the labor market. It encompasses measures related to employment creation, unemployment protection, education and training, wage setting, and income security. The overarching aim is to promote full employment, improve the match between workers and jobs, raise productivity, and ensure sustainable growth while safeguarding income security and fair working conditions.

Key components include active labour market policies (ALMPs) and passive income support. ALMPs are measures intended to help jobseekers enter or re-enter the labour market and upgrade skills. They include employment services and job matching, subsidised employment, training programs, apprenticeships, and wage subsidies for employers to hire unemployed workers. Passive policies provide income protection during unemployment, such as unemployment benefits and sickness benefits, often linked to activation requirements or conditionality.

In Finland, Työmarkkinapolitiikka is coordinated primarily by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, with the TE-services acting as frontline employment services. The system combines unemployment insurance, activation measures, and investments in education and training to address structural changes, an aging population, and technological development. Social partners and broad collective bargaining influence wage norms and working conditions, thereby shaping labour demand and costs in the economy.

Policy design and evaluation rely on data and research to adjust funding and emphasis between ALMPs and passive protection. The goal is to sustain high employment levels, reduce long-term unemployment, and support inclusive growth, while remaining responsive to cyclical fluctuations and structural shifts in the economy.