The Finnish trade union Pro has voiced strong accusations against publicly listed Finnish companies for what they call a short-sighted 'loser's strategy.' Union leader Niko Simola claims that excessive dividends indicate a lack of willingness among company management to pursue growth or a clear vision for where that growth could derive. He highlights the troubling backdrop of mass unemployment in Finland and criticizes companies for focusing their financial resources on rewarding shareholders rather than exploring innovative avenues for growth.

Simola draws attention to the ongoing global dual transition driven by artificial intelligence and digitalization, which are reshaping work and income generation. He points out that while American and Asian firms are heavily investing in product development and new technologies to adapt to this change, Finnish companies are lagging behind. This failure to invest adequately in innovation is seen as detrimental, not only for their competitiveness but also in the context of coping with climate change and the need for greener production methods.

The union urges Finnish companies to shift their strategies and invest in sustainable practices as a means of addressing the urgent challenges presented by both technology and environmental sustainability. This call to action emphasizes that without strategic changes, Finnish companies risk falling further behind their global counterparts and limiting their potential for future growth and resilience in a transforming economic landscape.