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Government supports employment of dismissed Microsoft employees

Government Communications Department
Publication date 8.7.2015 16.47
Press release 375/2015

Finnish Government is disappointed with Microsoft's decision to terminate the contract of 2,300 employees in Finland. The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy had a special meeting today due to the situation.

The Government is prepared to submit to Parliament, immediately when the autumn term begins in September, a supplementary budget targeted specifically on measures supporting the situation. Together with Microsoft, the Government will weigh out measures to support start-ups by individuals who are currently subject to the threat of redundancy. In addition, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy will prepare an application to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

The Government encourages the actors in the area to cooperate and the companies to take bold steps in utilising digitalisation. The ICT structural change will also give an opportunity to create new competitive business activity and new jobs. 

The Government will support the re-employment of individuals whose employment contract will be terminated and the regions affected by structural change, especially the Salo region which will suffer most severely.

Loss of so many jobs is very sad for the whole society and for individuals affected. It is, however, positive that Microsoft has promised to bear its corporate social responsibility beyond the level required by law.

The world's top expertise in the product development of mobile phones that potentially now comes to the employment market can be utilised in many areas of digitalisation, for example in the Internet of Things, health technology and intelligent transport and automotive industry.  In addition to this expertise, the Salo, Espoo and Tampere areas have a wide network of subcontractors in the ICT sector together with an excellent location and outstanding relocation services.

The Government will hold a press conference on the situation today at 18.00.