The Kainuu wellness region has announced that around 40 employees will be laid off as a result of the recent co-operation negotiations that concluded last week. Initially, the reductions could have affected up to 46 workers, but due to changes made by the regional council, the layoff risk has been adjusted to about 40 employees. Sami Mäenpää, the regional director for the wellness area, mentioned that during the implementation phase, efforts will be made to find suitable work opportunities that match the skills and experience of those at risk of dismissal. The goal is to facilitate relocations within the wellness area wherever possible.

In addition to this decision on layoffs, the regional council also voted on matters concerning employee benefits. By a vote of 9-2, it was determined that the €100 ePass employee benefit would not be distributed this year, resulting in a savings effect of €373,000 in total. This aligns with a broader budget reduction strategy, as the adjusted supplementary budget is expected to have an overall impact of around €3.2 million by 2026. These financial adjustments underscore the region's need to manage expenses amid possibly challenging economic conditions.

Moreover, the regional council also voted on changes to departmental placements with a close result of 6-4, reflecting ongoing discussions about service network reforms within the wellness area. These decisions illustrate the challenges and strategic shifts that the Kainuu wellness region is navigating as it seeks to optimize services while managing budgetary constraints, which could have implications for the quality of care and support provided to the community in the future.