New implementation plan for the policy for work environment and wellbeing at work to support good working life

A good working life is the cornerstone of society. Ensuring health and safety at work is an important prerequisite for a good working life. The policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work until 2030 entitled ‘Safe and healthy working conditions and work ability for everyone’ defines the objectives and priorities concerning health and safety at work in Finland.

The policy specifies the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health strategy, and it also includes the national policy on occupational health and safety required by the relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions. 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health prepared the policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work together with the central labour market organisations and other key actors in working life in 2019. 

Now the policy has been updated to meet changes occurring in working life. The cooperation has also resulted in an implementation plan for the policy for the years 2024–2027. 

Workplaces are key to ensuring good working life

In Finland, long-term investments have been made in occupational safety and healthy working conditions, but it is important that this work continues. It is also important to take measures to reduce occupational accidents and diseases, other work-related diseases, and mental and physical strain, which is harmful to health.   

The key themes of the implementation plan for the policy include managing risks at work; identifying and strengthening resource factors at the workplace; managing psychosocial strain; preventing violence, harassment and inappropriate treatment; and developing competence in occupational health cooperation.   

Workplaces’ own actions play a key role in all this. It is also essential that workplaces receive the support that they need to improve safety and health at work. Extensive cooperation is needed both at workplaces and between parties supporting workplaces to achieve the objectives set out in the policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work. 

A safe and healthy working life has a positive impact on people’s wellbeing, the productivity and competitiveness of workplaces and the economy of society. 

Inquiries:

Piia Mattila, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 476, [email protected] 
Liisa Hakala, Director, tel. +358 295 163 566, [email protected]