vähimmäispalkkana

Vähimmäispalkka, known in English as the minimum wage, is the lowest remuneration that employers are legally required to pay their workers. In Finland, there is no legally mandated national minimum wage. Instead, minimum wage levels are typically determined through collective bargaining agreements negotiated between trade unions and employer organizations. These agreements cover specific sectors and industries, setting out minimum pay rates for different job roles and experience levels.

The purpose of vähimmäispalkka, where it exists, is generally to protect workers from exploitation and to ensure a basic standard of living. It aims to prevent excessively low wages that could lead to poverty and social inequality. The specific rates and conditions vary widely depending on the sector, the collective agreement in force, and the responsibilities of the position.

While Finland does not have a statutory minimum wage, the collective bargaining system effectively establishes minimum pay floors across a large portion of the workforce. Workers covered by these agreements are guaranteed a certain level of income. For those not covered by collective agreements, employment contracts may still specify a wage, and general principles of fair remuneration apply. The concept of a living wage, which aims to cover basic needs, is also a related but distinct discussion in Finnish labor market discourse.