Government discussed the Nokia situation
On Thursday 14 June, the Government had a meeting to prepare measures to manage the structural changes that will follow Nokia's announcement to cut 3,700 jobs in Finland. Together with Nokia and other actors involved in this change, the Government will immediately seek new measures and expedite the implementation of action already under preparation.
A restructuring will provide opportunities for new growth when carried out in an effective and flexible manner. We are currently faced with a global process where the focus is shifting from basic technology to applications. The level of Finnish ICT expertise is at a level which enables us to produce new success stories in Finland. By its actions, the Government will support a swift and efficient implementation of this development.
As part of its discussion on spending limits, the Government agreed on a growth package totalling EUR 300 million which includes tax incentives for research and development and private capital investments. These measures are to speed up the re-employment of top experts and support new growth companies.
The measures to boost innovation and investments, adopted as part of government discussion on spending limits, will be subject to a fast track process. The measures will provide considerable opportunities for growth in various sectors and promote ways to harness the potential freed up from the ICT sector. In addition, work has already been initiated to rapidly implement measures required to deal with the structural change. Resources of the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Tekes will used in channelling expertise to other sectors and in the reorganisation of public services.
The aim is that decisions on key measures can be made at the next government budget session in August. A working group has been appointed to carry out preparatory work on long-term measures. The ICT-2015 group is chaired by Pekka Ala-Pietilä.
Based on previous restructurings, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks have downsized and are downsizing production in Finland by around 5,700 jobs. The changes have also affected a great number of sub-contractors. A new well-functioning approach for promoting employment and entrepreneurship has been put in place, but there is still work to be done to deal with the effects of the restructurings. It has become increasingly difficult to find employment in related fields.
Due to the earlier structural changes, the region of Salo has been classified as an area of abrupt structural change. The Government will soon decide whether the region of Oulu will receive the same classification.
Inquiries: Petri Peltonen, Dierctor General, tel. +358 50 626 63 and Anssi Paasivirta, Director, tel +358 400 815 418, Ministry of Employment and the Economy