Employment
The Employment Contracts Act and universally binding collective agreements
The Employment Contracts Act sets the statutory floor, but pay and conditions are largely governed by collective agreements, many of which are 'universally applicable' and bind even non-organised employers.
Key rules
- Generally applicable collective agreements bind all employers in the sector.
- There is no statutory minimum wage; agreements set sector minimums.
- Dismissal requires proper and weighty grounds under the Employment Contracts Act.
Governing law
- Employment Contracts Act (Työsopimuslaki)
In practice
Checking whether a universally applicable agreement covers the sector is the essential first step in any Finnish hiring or pay question.