Labour market leaders list measures to fight negative aspects of China syndrome

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Finnish labour market leaders see the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises, domestic ownership, and securing Finnish know-how as the best ways to meet the challenges posed by the export of jobs to China and other emerging economies.
      The labour market leaders returned from a fact-finding trip to China on Monday. Their trip was sponsored by the Finnish National Fund for Research and Development (SITRA).
      One of the members of the delegation was Ilkka Joenpalo, chairman of the Union of Salaried Employees. He said that the Finns had noted that Finnish pension institutions could help Finland survive international competition by focusing investments on Finnish companies, especially small and medium-sized industrial enterprises.
      "The trip was a successful one. We saw the means, and the volumes with which industrial production is growing in China. The pace is dizzying", Joenpalo said.
      He added that there are potential positive aspects in the so-called China syndrome, if Chinese enterprises could be persuaded to invest in Finland.
      He also noted that maintaining a high standard of know-how would be the best way to enhance the attractiveness of Finland as a target for investment.
     
The trip had been criticised by some trade union and human rights activists who pointed to the deficiencies in the position of workers in China, and in the overall human rights situation in the country.
      Joenpalo said that the situation was not all bad, noting that in some foreign-owned companies in China workers are able to negotiate over pay, for instance.
      "As a European it was wonderful to see that European companies offer better conditions and benefits than Chinese companies. That is a good example of bringing a new ideology to China", Joenpalo said.
      "One drawback is that there is no work pension or national pension system. The financing of such systems is a big issue on the state level, and it is currently under consideration", he said.
      Joenpalo added that the members of the SITRA delegation used every possible opportunity to discuss the position of workers in China. 


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Trade union activists criticise leaders trip to China (9.9.2004)
  Labour market leaders say China syndrome has been misunderstood (8.9.2004)

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