Global partnership in working life

There is close European as well as wider international cooperation in matters relating to employment, labour law and work. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for preparing EU-related matters within its own sphere of interest and coordinates the work of the European Social Fund (ESF) in Finland.

The Ministry has general responsibility in Finland for managing and coordinating matters relating to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ILO is an organisation specialised in the development of working life and improving social conditions. Global partnership is also evident in relations with such bodies as the Organisation for Economic Co-peration and Development (OECD).

Nordic cooperation in matters relating to labour market and work environment policy is regular and based on agreements. There is also cooperation on labour market and employment issues with Finland’s neighbouring regions, mainly the northwestern areas of Russia.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is involved in international recruitment agency work and in the work of EURES (European Employment Services), the European recruitment network coordinated by the European Commission. The aim is to facilitate the mobility of labour in the international labour market.