A pilot sabbatical or "job alternation" leave scheme was introduced in Finland as part of as part of the most recent incomes policy agreement (FI9704110F [1]), and the Government recently decided to continue with the scheme for another year, during the 1998 budget negotiations. The scheme is still described as "experimental", because a third stage of the training insurance system is also under preparation, which should give those employees with an appropriate work history the opportunity to undertake vocational training as from the autumn of 1999 and receive a higher level of governmental financial support than at present. The aim is to set up one uniform system for supporting training, in cooperation with trade unions and employers. The Government intends that between 15,000 and 20,000 workers will take advantage of the leave scheme on an annual basis.[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-labour-market-working-conditions/sabbatical-leave-scheme-gains-in-popularity
Finland has been experimenting with its sabbatical or "job alternation" leave scheme since the beginning of 1996, and the results have so far been very positive, so much so that the Government decided in September 1997 to continue the scheme. Up to now, 8,000 people have taken advantage of the leave.
A pilot sabbatical or "job alternation" leave scheme was introduced in Finland as part of as part of the most recent incomes policy agreement (FI9704110F), and the Government recently decided to continue with the scheme for another year, during the 1998 budget negotiations. The scheme is still described as "experimental", because a third stage of the training insurance system is also under preparation, which should give those employees with an appropriate work history the opportunity to undertake vocational training as from the autumn of 1999 and receive a higher level of governmental financial support than at present. The aim is to set up one uniform system for supporting training, in cooperation with trade unions and employers. The Government intends that between 15,000 and 20,000 workers will take advantage of the leave scheme on an annual basis.
The social partners and the Government finance the leave scheme on the same basis as they finance the unemployment benefit insurance system. Some of the parties are interested in increasing the financial support for those taking part from 60% of the present earnings-related unemployment benefit level to 80%. The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) is interested in making the scheme permanent, and would like to make it more attractive by increasing the amount of the compensation paid to those participating. The employers, on the other hand, oppose any increase in compensation; one reason for this is that they also finance the training supplement of the scheme. Their contribution, providing the sabbatical leave is used for vocational training, is currently FIM 1,000 net a month.
No final decisions have yet been made about the level of compensation. The terms of the leave will be agreed on a tripartite basis and the question will feature in the forthcoming incomes policy negotiations.
Eurofound raccomanda di citare questa pubblicazione nel seguente modo.
Eurofound (1997), Sabbatical leave scheme to be continued, article.
