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Akava ry

Akava ry is a Finnish trade union confederation for highly educated professionals.

Lobbying Activity

Finnish union Akava urges safety protections in digital deregulation

30 Sept 2025
Topic — The Commission plans to simplify digital rules to reduce costs and encourage innovation.
Message — Akava ry supports making regulation user-friendly and encouraging innovation to help businesses grow. They insist that occupational safety and privacy protection be preserved against ideological deregulation. They also support a directive on algorithmic management in the workplace.1234
Why — Professional workers would gain legal safeguards against opaque algorithmic management and unsafe practices.56
Impact — Proponents of total deregulation lose the ability to dismantle existing labor and safety protections.7
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Response to European Research Area (ERA) Act

4 Sept 2025

Many measures are still needed to implement the European Research Area. Such as: -EU-level regulation on the freedom of research and science, to which the freedom of education and the arts should also be linked -EU research funds must be used responsibly, for example on the basis of the rule of law. The Commission's proposal for the EU's multiannual budget 2028-34 (MFF) is in the right direction here. -The Commission's MFF proposal for a significant increase in EU knowledge resources (research programme, Erasmus programme) is the minimum level if, for example, the innovation gap in the Mario Draghi report is to be bridged -The Commission's MFF proposal brings together regional policy cohesion and agricultural funds into national NFF plans. In these plans, a significant proportion of the funds must also be spent on knowledge. -The EU-level target of 3% of GDP for research and development spending is too low, taking into account global competition. 4% would be better. -The impact of research is an important issue and must also be developed at the EU level. For example, long-term research work increases impact compared to short-term and "shredded projects". -The attractiveness of Europe and the strengthening of research careers are also key in creating a functioning European research area. -In regulatory matters, a balance must be sought between protection and, on the other hand, the promotion of innovation. For example, product, consumer and occupational safety are implemented, but at the same time the conditions for economic growth, scalability and innovation are created. -The implementation of the mobility of experts is important. This includes not only intra-EU mobility in accordance with the so-called fifth freedom of Enrico Letta's internal market report, but also the immigration of experts (both must be developed). -Increasing the mobility of experts also requires strengthening equality, e.g. enabling the mobility of women, researchers with families, or those in other need of support -This Commission request for opinion did not seem to include a legislative initiative to strengthen copyright (for example, in connection with artificial intelligence) and such is needed.
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Akava urges labor protections and education funding in AI strategy

30 Apr 2025
Topic — The initiative aims to boost industrial AI use and improve public services.
Message — They propose a specific directive to protect fundamental rights in the workplace. They request increased EU budget funding for education. The union demands limits on non-compete clauses to improve mobility.123
Why — These measures would ensure better working conditions and security for European professionals.4
Impact — Businesses lose the power to restrict expert mobility through non-compete agreements.5
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Akava urges EU to strengthen workplace LGBTIQ equality measures

11 Apr 2025
Topic — The European Commission is seeking feedback on its new strategy for LGBTIQ equality.
Message — The organization calls for effective measures to eliminate workplace harassment, bullying, and discrimination. They argue that Europe must continue promoting equality despite a shifting political climate.12
Why — Greater diversity and equality would enhance the productivity and well-being of employees.3
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Meeting with Maria Guzenina (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Mar 2025 · CULT priorities

Meeting with Hanna Anttilainen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

5 Mar 2025 · Single Market Strategy, Competitiveness Fund.

Meeting with Eero Heinäluoma (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Mar 2025 · Ajankohtaisasiat

Meeting with Terhi Lehtonen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez)

5 Mar 2025 · Green transition – impact of climate policy on labour.

Meeting with Outi Slotboom (Director Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

5 Mar 2025 · Information exchange on Akava priorities and EU policy initiatives, in particular the upcoming Single Market Strategy

Meeting with Annukka Ojala (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu)

23 Jan 2025 · Exchange on upcoming initiatives

Meeting with Eero Heinäluoma (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Ajankohtaisaiheet

Meeting with Sebastian Tynkkynen (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Yleinen poliittinen tilannekuva vaalien jälkeen

Meeting with Anna-Maja Henriksson (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Research, innovation and education

Meeting with Aura Salla (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Introductory meeting, Research and Innovation

Meeting with Li Andersson (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

26 Sept 2024 · Education politics

Meeting with Elsi Katainen (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Tuleva kausi

Meeting with Sebastian Tynkkynen (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · EU:n korkeakoulupolitiikka

Meeting with Aura Salla (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Sept 2024 · Akava's development plans and views on EU regulation

Meeting with Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (Member of the European Parliament) and Tradenomiliitto TRAL ry (Professionals of business and technology)

23 May 2023 · Meeting on AI and current EU affairs

Meeting with Elsi Katainen (Member of the European Parliament)

23 May 2023 · Current EU topics

Meeting with Heidi Hautala (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

3 Mar 2023 · Yritysvastuu

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

6 Oct 2022 · Minimum wage directive, platform economy and platform work directive, telework and Right to disconnect.

Meeting with Mauri Pekkarinen (Member of the European Parliament) and Confederation of Finnish Industries EK and The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK

17 Mar 2022 · Current EU affairs

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

16 Mar 2022 · Minimum wages, platform work, labor market, social issues, Recovery & Resilience Facility

Meeting with Ana Carla Pereira (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit), Antoine Kasel (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit), Christoph Nerlich (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

11 Feb 2020 · Skills and Social Roadmap

Meeting with Antti Timonen (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

31 Jan 2019 · Communications, work of the Commission and VP Katainen

Meeting with Risto Artjoki (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

10 Jan 2019 · Future of Europe

Meeting with Risto Artjoki (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen) and Miltton Europe

21 Nov 2018 · Roadmap to Sibiu

Meeting with Rodrigo Ballester (Cabinet of Commissioner Tibor Navracsics)

22 Nov 2017 · Key competences

Meeting with Jyrki Katainen (Vice-President)

21 Nov 2017 · Innovation and investments; European Pillar of Social Rights; European Education Area; future of Europe.

Meeting with Filomena Chirico (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen) and Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

9 Jun 2017 · Future of FP9

Meeting with Jon Nyman (Cabinet of Vice-President Cecilia Malmström)

22 Feb 2016 · General Trade Policy + Possible visit of Commissioner to Finland

Meeting with Aura Salla (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

25 Mar 2015 · Investment package

Meeting with Jyrki Katainen (Vice-President) and

2 Dec 2014 · Finnish Labour Unions