Most Paper Production At A Standstill
Image: YLE
Over half of Finland's paper production capacity is at a standstill because of the stevedore strike that has closed the nation's ports. 59% of capacity has been shut down and according to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, over 3700 workers in the sector have been idled as a result.
The Federation's CEO Timo Jaatinen said Monday that he fears that the strike will soon paralyze Finland's entire forest industry sector. He is damanding action be taken.
"In the name of general social responsibility, the Transport Workers Union must put forward the means to quickly end the strike it started," said Jaatinen.
The forest products sector has long warned that mills will lose orders because of the strike. Also, companies are concerned that the reputation of Finnish firms as reliable suppliers will suffer.
The Finnish Forest Industries Federation estimates that the cumulative effects will extend to the whole of the wood processing sector and the associated economy. The strike is imposing extra expenses on mills, in addition to lost production time.
There are 50 pulp, paper and paperboard mills in Finland, 170 industrial sawmills, as well as 15 board plants.
YLE