The working group seeks more protection for women in fixed term contracts

The discrimination of pregnancy is common in Finland, and one in four women experiences it, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

A woman pushing a stroller on a street. — The working group proposed a review of the benefits of parents, child care subsidies and alternative ways to compensate employers for costs related to having children. Image: Henrietta Hassinen / Yle

A government work group has proposed to amend the Equality Law to offer more protections so that future mothers work on fixed -term contracts, but the unions said that the suggested changes are not far enough.

The discrimination of pregnancy is common in Finland, and one in four women experiences it, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

“By taking into account both experiences of discrimination and other negative experiences, such as the fear of endangering the position at work, the problem refers to almost half of all pregnant people,” the Ministry saying In a statement last September.

The working group suggested that the Equality Law be modified to explicitly include discrimination in the workplace, since it also applies to fixed -term employment contracts.

The proposed changes are aimed at addressing problems such as the discrimination of pregnancy in fixed -term employment, which is particularly frequent in the sectors of low wages and dominated by women.

At the same time, the government is relieving restrictions on fixed -term employment contracts, allowing agreements of up to one year without a specific justification. Currently, fixed contracts require a valid reason.

The working group established by the Government included public officials, as well as representatives of the key organizations of the country’s labor market.

Labor unions said they would have liked to see stronger measures to prevent fixed term contracts from being renewed due to pregnancy.

In terms of parental license, the working group proposed a review of the benefits of parents, child care subsidies and alternative ways to compensate employers for costs related to having children.

In 2023, the State gave employers more than 52 million euros in compensation for the parental license of employees. Since 2017, mothers employers have received a unique parental license compensation of 2,500 euros.

These amendments to the Equality Law are expected to come before Parliament this fall.