In 1998, Finland's SAK trade union confederation launched a project to promote the ability of its members and their families to cope in the information society, offering members an opportunity to buy a cheap computer package. The project has proved a success, with 44% of SAK members now stating that they use a computers. In October 1999, the confederation decided to continue the campaign.
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In 1998, Finland's SAK trade union confederation launched a project to promote the ability of its members and their families to cope in the information society, offering members an opportunity to buy a cheap computer package. The project has proved a success, with 44% of SAK members now stating that they use a computers. In October 1999, the confederation decided to continue the campaign.
In autumn 1998, the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö, SAK) launched a campaign which sought to promote the ability of its members and their families to keep up with the development of the information society, offering as a membership benefit an opportunity to buy a cheap computer package. The campaign was motivated by the fact that use of a computer is an essential factor of success in modern society, and SAK considers that everyone should have the opportunity to use one. In their own activities as well, the unions believe that they will gain added benefits from the easier contacts and interaction between members allowed by modern computer technology.
According to a survey of 897 members conducted in May 1999, as many as 44% of members of SAK affiliates now use computers. One-fifth of SAK members are so-called "multi-users", who use the Internet, e-mail, data search, word-processing and spreadsheet programmes, and handle their banking with the aid of a computer. However, one-quarter of members use computers for text-processing and games only. The most assiduous users are men under 30, of whom 73% are active users, while half of the whole 30-39 age group use a computer actively. Of the over-50s, 8% are multi-users and 16% use a computer solely for text processing and games. Some 40% of members have their own computer at home. In general, members have access to a computer as often as the average Finn does. One-fifth have e-mail at their disposal, whereas in 1997 only 6% of respondents to a similar survey had an e-mail address in use. A quarter now state that they use the Internet, with young people clearly using the Internet more often than their parents. There is no difference between men and women in these respects.
The SAK campaign has been carried out in cooperation with private computer companies, and in October 1999 it was decided to continue it. The new personal computer offer for members is being publicised for the Christmas market.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (1999), SAK computer campaign proves successful, article.
