Union poll: No workplace discrimination
A survey by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) indicates that discrimination based on ethnic origin is not a major problem in the workplace. Only 8 percent of union shop stewards who responded to a SAK survey said they know of incidents of discrimination against employees because of an immigrant background.
The survey, carried out in August, included responses to questions about ethnic discrimination by 1153 shop stewards or union industrial safety delegates.
The discrimination that was noted mainly took the forms of name-calling, bullying, not being informed of workplace affairs and exclusion from social circles. Also, in some cases, immigrants were assigned to the least desirable jobs.
It was also found that there are few systematic activities organized to promote ethnic equality and counter discrimination. Only one in five workplaces has such programmes in place.
"The results are very positive. It is, though, worrying that there is very little activity aimed at countering discrimination in the workplace. In fact, it sounds realistic that nearly half of respondents consider on the job relations between native Finns and immigrants as good, and that the other half takes the view that sometimes there are misunderstandings," says SAK immigrant affairs expert Eve Kyntäjä.
The shop stewards themselves were found to have a generally positive view of immigration, with 77% saying that ethnic background makes no difference in the workplace. Only 12% stated that they see problems in working with non-Finns. The most-named problem was poor Finish language skills and subsequent misunderstandings.
According to these union shop stewards, only 11% of immigrant workers have the opportunity to take part in language training during working hours.
"Employers should absolutely offer more opportunities," says Kyntäjä.
According to the SAK, unions within the central organization have over 20,000 immigrant members. This figure more than doubled over the past ten years.
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