Layoff Warning as Unprecedented Strikes Continue to Impact Businesses in Kemi, Finland

As the entrepreneur of Teippar, an advertising factory that manufactures industrial signs in Kemi, Sakari Laukkanen has issued a layoff warning to his entire staff on Friday. He estimates that two or three out of his workforce of eight may have to be laid off as a result of the long-lasting strikes. The strikes, planned for two weeks, are now set to last at least four weeks until April 7.

Laukkanen is not alone in his concerns about the impact of the strikes on businesses like Teippar. The Mainostehdas Teippari has also experienced significant delays in material delivery and order cancellations due to the strikes. Laukkanen believes that the situation is similar to the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

The strike is a response to government reforms that weaken employees’ strike opportunities and oppose cuts in social security and an increase in workplace-specific agreements. If the strikes continue, they could have significant costs for businesses like Teippar and other companies alike.

As such, Laukkanen hopes for concrete suggestions from employees on how to handle the situation. He emphasizes that all stakeholders should engage in dialogue to bring an end to the strikes and avoid further layoffs. He feels that striking against a democratically elected government is not the solution and hopes for an end to the strikes as soon as possible.