Government seminar discusses statement to Parliament on promoting equality and non-discrimination

At an internal seminar on Wednesday 16 August, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government discussed measures to promote equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society.

“We had a fruitful and thorough discussion based on the preparations by our working group. All of the parties in Government are committed to seeking solutions and promoting equality in Finland,” said Prime Minister Orpo after the Government's seminar.

“There is no place for racism in Finland, and the Government does not accept it in any form,” the Prime Minister said. 

In July, the Government appointed a working group to prepare a government statement to Parliament on promoting equality and non-discrimination in Finland. The statement is to be adopted at the government plenary session on 31 August. 

Led by State Secretary Risto Artjoki, the working group has consulted with a wide range of different actors both orally and in writing. The following perspectives featured prominently in the consultations: dismantling inequalities in the labour market and elsewhere in society, strengthening good relations between population groups, the key importance of access to the labour market and the need to strengthen the knowledge base on racism in Finland. With respect to legislation, a few amendments were proposed. The statements received in the consultation round are available (in the original languages) in the Gateway to Information on Government Projects, and they will also be used to draw up a more detailed action plan to be launched after the statement is complete.

Inquiries: Risto Artjoki, State Secretary, Chair of the working group, tel. +358 9 1602 2006, Jouni Varanka, Ministerial Adviser, Prime Minister's Office, tel. +358 50 592 0606 (consultations), Päivi Paasikoski, Director of Government Communications, tel. +358 40 547 6279 and Heli Suominen, Head of Communications, tel. +358 50 479 3766, Prime Minister’s Office