Cutbacks in Research Institutes

The Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) launched co-operation negotiations on the 8th of September. According to preliminary estimates, the need for cutbacks would be at the most 350 workers on the whole. In addition to cuts planned to the personnel costs, VTT is aiming at savings between 10 to 15 million euros also on other areas.

According to the release by VTT, the financial situation of the Centre has been headed into unfavourable direction during this year. The results between January and July were 15,7 million euros on the minus side. The Government savings both in actual research activity and in research funding have also had negative influence on the overall research volyme in VTT. The reform in the sectors to which research institutes belong and the adjacent budget cuts and financing arrangements induce serious financial difficulties for VTT. The cuts are already on the way, but at their largest they will be in the year 2017, when the estimated sum to be cut is approximately 20 million euros.

The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) left a negotiation proposal to its staff organizations on the 15th of September. The proposal contains a suggestion for adaptive measures involving cuts of 8,5 million euros by the year 2016. These negotiations may lead to cutbacks amounting to 130 person-years in the Institute at the most. The whole personnel of the Institution is within the sphere of the negotiations.

As the result of the previous co-operation negotiations, the personnel of the Institute was cut down by 100 persons.

These co-operation negotiations are the result of the many cutback decisions that have had an effect on the funtions of THL: the State Productivity Program, Research Institute Reform and the savings brought about by sector research institutes. The budget funding of the Institute will be reduced by over 18 million euros (minus 27% a year) from the year 2013 to 2017. There are also additional cuts to be expected for the years 2016 and 2017.

The co-operation negotiations of the University of Helsinki in the Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education resulted in giving notice to 36 employees. The independent administrative status of the regional districts of Kouvola, Kotka and Lahti will be discontinued. All in all, the personnel cutbacks amount to 61 employees. Fixed-term contracts will be terminated and part of the reduction demand will be actualized through pension arrangements.

text Kirsti Sintonen

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