The National Conciliator of Finland has put forward a second settlement proposal aimed at resolving ongoing labor disputes within the private social services sector. This initiative comes as negotiations have stalled, with critical demands from the public and welfare sectors union, JHL, for salary increases that reflect the challenging and responsible nature of work in this field. The conciliator's proposal is now in front of the involved parties, who are expected to respond later this week on Wednesday afternoon.

The JHL union has threatened to initiate new strikes within the private social services sector if negotiations do not yield acceptable results. These strikes could occur over several days in early March, indicating a rising tension and urgency as both sides navigate potential disruptions that could affect social services across Finland. The demands for salary increments are underlined by the significant responsibilities that employees in this sector shoulder, making the resolution of this dispute critical for the workforce.

The primary workforce group involved in these negotiations is represented by the practical nurses' union, Super, while employers are negotiating through the Welfare Sector Employers Association, Hali. The contrasting positions of workers and employers on wage increases indicate a broader context of labor relations within Finland's public and private sectors, highlighting the importance of effective mediation by the National Conciliator in fostering social dialogue and preventing labor unrest.