Social enterprises are ordinary companies that are registered in Finland's Trade Register. However, the law stipulates that they have a nobler purpose.
In addition to seeking to make a profit, the companies are supposed to offer work to those who are difficult to employ, such as immigrants who speak little Finnish, the long-term unemployed, or workers with a reduced capacity for work. The law stipulates that at least 30 per cent of the employees must fall into the category of being difficult to employ.
The state provides between EUR 830 and EUR 970 in support for the pay costs of each of the employee.
The law on social enterprises took effect in 2004. The 100th such company was registered in May in Kinnula in Central Finland. Varkaus and Riihimäki have both been eager in setting up such companies.
The companies employ about 400 people, 180 of whom are of diminished ability, while 50 fell into the category of the long-term unemployed.
Six such companies have so far been set up in Helsinki and one in Espoo.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 9.8..2007
