Kokoomus women organizations, the female branches of the Finnish political party Kokoomus, have made a significant appeal to Employment Minister Matias Marttinen regarding proposed reforms that would facilitate the creation of fixed-term employment contracts. The organizations are concerned that such easing of regulations could exacerbate existing discrimination against women, particularly in the context of pregnancy-related job insecurities. They emphasize that temporary contracts are a major form of discrimination that primarily impacts women in the workforce, thus calling for a reassessment of the proposed measures against the backdrop of gender equality and protection against pregnancy discrimination.

Pihla Keto-Huovinen, chair of the Kokoomus Women’s League and a member of parliament, has voiced her concerns explicitly, stating that simply facilitating temporary employment contracts does not eliminate discrimination, and could, in fact, reinforce it. This highlights an essential discussion in Finland regarding the need for laws and policies that protect vulnerable employees, especially women, from discriminatory practices that can arise during their professional lives, notably when they become pregnant. The government is concurrently preparing legislative changes aimed at strengthening anti-discrimination laws, which adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing discourse.

The joint petition from various Kokoomus women organizations stresses the importance of evaluating the implications of employment reforms from an equality perspective. The proposed legal changes, which would compel employers to provide written justifications for temporary contracts to pregnant employees, are seen as a necessary step to ensure that the rights of women are upheld in the workplace. This situation underscores the continuous battle for gender equality in Finland, where temporary employment remains a contentious issue impacting many women, particularly in the context of their rights during and after pregnancy.