SEL makes a difference

SEL acts as a lobbyist for its members through having an influence Finnish industrial policy. The union is active in many projects in which the objective are to secure pure and safe food production in Finland. There exists cooperation with the different ministries, Labour market organisations and including non-governmental institutions.

By campaigning for regionally produced food products the union strives to maintain the jobs in the foodstuff sector and viable living conditions in all Finland. The union emphasizes the bond between food service, the employing effect of regionally produced food and maintaining jobs.

The foodstuff sector worker and the Finnish consumer are bound to one another. According to studies the Finnish consumer wants to read about the country of origin on the package label. This view has been brought to the attention of the decision makers both in Finland and the EU. SEL and its interest groups provided the petition signed by over 12000 consumers and communities in demanding stating the country of manufacture on food packages to the official responsible for foodstuff legislation at the Commission of the European Union.

Cooperation amongst the interest groups of the foodstuff sector for lowering the VAT of food is about to give results, as a lowering of the food VAT has been decided.

In Finland legislation regulates opening hours of shops on Sundays and holidays. The work conditions of the union’s members would be weakened if the opening hours were fully liberated. The union has in several connections expressed a negative view to the free opening hours on Sundays, which, if it came true, would also threaten the welfare of families.

Training and education

The union supports the training and education of its members. For members in employee representative positions the union covers for different trade union education at the Kiljava institute owned by SAK. For young members SEL arranges its own courses. SEL’s regional organisations also provide regional training.

International cooperation

SEL is a member of the food sector Nordic Union which gathers the trade unions active in foodstuff sector under the same umbrella. Affiliated unions of the Nordic Union belong to the European umbrella organisation EFFAT and to the global federation IUF. Both at nordic and international levels the growing challenge is the accelerating globalisation process which requires an even closer following of the preparations of EU decisions and international agreements. The organisations also monitor that the European legislation is entered into agreements and follow their application at local level.

Social influence

SEL acts as a lobbyist for its members through having an influence Finnish industrial policy. The union is active in many projects the objective of which is to secure a clean, safe and domestic food production in Finland. There is cooperation with the different ministries, Labour market organisations and even with non-governmental institutions.

By campaigning for food produced close by the union wants to maintain the jobs of the foodstuff sector and living conditions all over Finland. The union emphasizes the bond between food service, the employing effect of food produced close by and the maintaining the jobs.

A foodstuff sector’s worker and a Finnish consumer are bound to one another. According to studies the Finnish consumer wants to read about the manufacturing country on the package markings. The view has been brought to the attention of the decision makers both in Finland and the EU. SEL and its interest groups provided the petition signed by over 12000 consumers and societies for stating the country of manufacture on food packages to the director responsible for foodstuff legislation at the Commission of the European Union.

Cooperation amongst the interest groups of the foodstuff sector for lowering the VAT of food is about to give results, as reduction of taxation is included in the government program.

The union supports the training and education of its members. For members in trust positions the union pays for versatile trade union education at the Kiljava institute, which is owned by SAK. For its young members SEL organises courses of its own. SEL’s regional organisations also have regional training.