Finland’s Employment Minister Defends 100,000 Jobs Target Despite Slow Growth

Employment Minister Matias Marttinen of the National Coalition Party says the government remains fully committed to its goal of creating 100,000 new jobs during the current parliamentary term, despite growing doubts within his own party.

Speaking in an interview with public broadcaster Yle, Marttinen said the administration has no plans to retreat from its labour policy objectives and will continue pushing forward reforms aimed at boosting employment.

“We will not give up. We will push reforms forward and aim to strengthen employment as much as possible before the end of the parliamentary term,” he said.

Marttinen acknowledged that the current employment situation is difficult, noting that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has begun preparatory work to help restore consumer confidence.

Finland’s weak economic performance remains a key challenge.

Employment growth has fallen short of the government’s earlier promises, and according to the Finance Ministry’s forecast, the number of people in work is expected to be roughly the same at the end of the government’s term as it was when the administration took office in 2023.