The South Karelia welfare region, which laid off around 250 permanent and 140 fixed-term employees, has managed to rehire approximately 30% of those dismissed in either temporary or permanent positions.
The South Karelia welfare region has faced significant cuts, laying off approximately 250 permanent and 140 temporary employees at the turn of the year. Following these layoffs, there has been a notable turn of events as the region has reinstated around 30% of the laid-off workers, with some returning to temporary positions while others have secured permanent roles. As reported by local union representatives, the number of rehired staff was around 80, with half being permanent hires, suggesting a positive shift in job security for some employees.
Union representatives from key organizations, including Tehy and SuPer, have commented on the rehiring situation. The personnel director, Tiina Laine, indicated that although reemployment efforts have reduced the number of laid-off individuals, some fixed-term positions remain until the contracts expire. This clarification highlights the ongoing challenges that the welfare sector faces concerning job stability and employee retention during tough economic times.
The situation has revealed that a significant portion of the returning employees are nursing assistants, which underscores the critical need for workforce retention in the social and healthcare sectors. Despite uncertainties regarding the total number of reemployed members, the trend points toward a beneficial re-integration of skilled workers back into the labor market, essential for maintaining the service capacity of the welfare region amidst prior layoffs.
