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Resolution on Internal Policy: Toward New Growth Policy (29.05.2010)

State-owned companies are not managed in the terms of the quarterly system

30/08/2009

The Finnish Social Democratic Party demands that the state-owned companies are managed and developed in cooperation with their employees. Constant oversized layoffs and notices speak of another kind of mentality and rough personnel management. Amidst a financial crisis especially the state-owner must offer security and stability for the employees.

According to SDP, the minister in charge of the owner policy Jyri Häkämies (National Coalition Party) cannot keep avoiding his responsibility. The minister in charge should actively seek solutions instead of concentrating on blaming others, such as the trade union movement.

SDP demands that the state as a significant owner uses its say in the companies it owns. In its corporate governance, the cabinet has given way to the public companies operational management too easily. The state must also take care of the social responsibility of the companies it owns as well as employment and regional development. Finland needs strong state ownership especially in fields that are nationally essential.

The cabinet’s motions to sell Destia, Raskone and Labtium are serious mistakes. By its actions the cabinet is endangering the nation’s basic infrastructure. Functioning and good quality communications are vital for the national economy. Selling Destia, for example, may lead to over-pricing and a monopoly forming in infrastructure building and maintenance.

SDP demands that the corporate governance decisions are promptly brought to a public and comprehensive discussion in the Parliament. The cabinet must give an account on the corporate governance to the Parliament at the beginning of the autumn. SDP underlines that state-ownership is a good tool that can be used to enhance employment and stability in the society.

In SDP’s opinion the right-wing cabinet is turning the state-owner into a mere seller with no apparent business policy strategy. By selling state assets, the cabinet is now trying to cover the deficit in the state budget caused by oversized tax reductions.