You decide whether Europe will be on the employees’ side – Vote in the EU elections!
The European Parliament elections on 9 June will impact the working life of the future. Trade Union JHL encourages people in Finland to vote for candidates who defend employee rights so that Europe will not turn against employees.
The European Parliament elections, i.e. EU elections, are held in all European Union Member States in June. In Finland, advance voting will take place from 29 May to 4 June 2024. Election day is Sunday 9 June.
Voters will be voting on whether Europe will continue its policy of solidarity that helped us overcome the coronavirus crisis. In addition, employees and companies were supported in accordance with the policy. Another option involves strict cost-cutting measures that are an attack on employees.
EU elections impact future working life
The European Parliament exercises power together with the Council of the European Union which is comprised of EU ministers. The European Parliament elects the European Commission which drafts EU’s legislative proposals.
By voting in the EU elections, you will thus make an impact to legislation at EU level which is also connected to Finnish society and working life. The EU has extensive powers in social and employment policy.
In recent years, many necessary acts have been adopted which improve equality in working life and safeguard the terms and conditions of employment that have been negotiated for employees. However, these reforms are incomplete, so legislative work will continue during the coming election period. The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL thinks it’s very important that the future European Parliament will continue to strengthen employee rights. Labour market dialogue and collective agreement negotiations must be strengthened nationally and at EU level, working life legislation must be further developed, and equality in working life needs improvement.
Other themes important to JHL in the EU elections:
- just transition in digitalisation and in combating climate change
- socially responsible public procurements
- human rights must be respected in business operations
- building a more social Europe
- equality, equal pay and combating violence against women
- fair taxation
- labour availability and ethically sustainable immigration.
Learn more about some of the themes on our theme page: EU elections.
Extra seat for Finland in the Parliament
These elections will see an increase in Members of European Parliament, i.e. MEPs. There will be 15 more MEPs, which puts their total number at 720. Finland will get one extra MEP.
According to predictions, the Parliament will be getting many new faces, out of which up to 58% would be new MEPs.
It is also predicted that the far right will get extra seats in the Parliament. The rise of the far right in the Parliament would in practice mean a more conservative EU policy and an increase in populism, criticism against the EU and anti-democracy and anti-immigration sentiment. The decrease of EU’s decision-making power would also have a negative impact on the further development of working life legislation. Trade Union JHL is very concerned about this prediction and encourages all employees to vote for a Europe that appreciates employee rights.