Consumer agency urges continued use of cash
Finland's Consumer Agency is urging businesses to show restraint in plans to stop accepting cash. Fewer cash transactions are taking place for the purchase of goods and services, but the EU Commission recommends that businesses accept cash from customers.
The chairman of the Consumer Agency's consumer rights group, Anja Peltonen, noted in comments to YLE that not all businesses in Finland accept cash today. The law does not require that cash be accepted in payment, but the EU Commission has recommended that cash be retained as a means of payment.
"We do not back businesses giving up cash because for many people it is the only method of payment. Shopkeepers should make notice at the door that cash is not accepted in payment, but still be prepared that people will come in wanting to pay in cash," says Peltonen.
But she says she understands the desire of some businesses to stop handling cash.
"Not all can keep change on hand and keeping petty cash on hand for some is a security risk," she points out. "A more moderate method would be to limit cash payments, for example on buses or in small kiosks that can't accept large denomination notes."
The EU Commission recommends that businesses retain the possibility for customers to use cash, alongside cards and invoicing. The Commission plans to review the issue again within the next few years.
Latest in: News
One dead, 8 injured in Hyvinkää shootings
Two people are critically injured, one of them a police officer.
Finland’s coolest summer festivals
Summer is the most frenzied time in the Finnish cultural year, with fans and artists alike rushing to enjoy that brief intersection of warmth and relaxed free time. Here are a dozen of the season’s most unusual cultural events. Nearly all take place outdoors or in tents – so here’s hoping for a warm, dry-ish festival season.
Baby spuds herald arrival of summer
In a crucial sign of summer for Finns, the first field-grown potatoes of the year have been harvested in Rymättylä on Finland's south-west coast.
Cutting-edge Finnish fashion hits the catwalk
The newest names in Finnish fashion are taking centre stage on Friday evening at a gala event at Helsinki's old Suvilahti power plant.
Urpilainen returned as SDP chair
The Social Democrats gathered at a party convention in Helsinki to elect party leaders. Incumbent Jutta Urpilainen ran unopposed for the chairmanship.
EU unemployed seek Finnish jobs
Labour officials say there's been an almost daily flow of European jobseekers registering for employment opportunities in Finland -- some of them from Spain.
Finnish Olympic team sets sights on London
The full complement of about 55 athletes will fly the Finnish flag at the London 2012 Olympics. They will compete in a range of disciplines ranging from track and field and equestrian events to judo and sailing.
Finnair, cabin crew continue Flybe transfer talks
Finnair will resume talks next week with the Cabin Crew Union on the transfer of about 100 cabin crew from flag carrier Finnair to its partner Flybe.
Amnesty raps Finland over treatment of asylum-seekers
Amnesty International has criticized dozens of states for human rights abuses. In its latest annual report, the human rights group also rapped Finland for its accelerated asylum procedures, which include forced returns to Baghdad.
PM grilled over proposed Iceland operation
Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen again Thursday denied claims that a proposal for Finnish participation in joint Nordic patrolling of Iceland's airspace is intended to ease Finland into NATO.
Discuss this topic
0 comments
Thank you. Your message has been sent to Yle News. We publish comments between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News reads all comments before publishing, and we reserve the right to edit long comments. Inappropriate comments will not be published.
Thank you. Your report has been sent to Yle News. We review the reports between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News will review the comment you reported and will delete it if necessary.