Purra defends the disputed work obligation – He himself admits that it is against the constitution

Finance minister Riikka Purra (ps) defended its view on the work obligation for immigrants in Brussels on Tuesday, so that they could receive social benefits.

“Social security needs to be made more mandatory,” Purra said at a press conference after the meetings of the Eurogroup and the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council held in Brussels.

According to Purra, Finland should follow the example of Denmark, where income support and last-resort support are tied to a 37.5-hour weekly work obligation.

The chairman of Basic Finns brought the matter up in February In Finnish Newsin which he said that the obligation applies especially to foreigners and includes simple tasks such as cleaning or picking up rubbish, which do not take away real work from anyone.

According to Iltalehti professionals in the cleaning industry were shocked by Purra’s words.

The Minister of Finance assured that he appreciates professionals in the cleaning industry, but he described the current system as “crazy” because the wages of low-wage industries, especially in the capital region, cannot compete with social security and other benefits.

“At the same time that we have very high unemployment among foreigners, certain sectors report a labor shortage simply because, among other things, it is not worth taking on work”. Bite said.

Unconstitutional

Purra admitted that his proposed obligation to work for immigrants in exchange for social benefits would probably not be possible under the current constitution.

“Compulsory social security according to the Danish model, as it is valid in Denmark, would hardly pass our constitutional law committee,” the minister estimated.

According to Purra, however, the task of politicians is to make proposals for the future, and the Danish model generally describes the direction in which Finland should go, according to the minister.

“This is a further reflection on the future. I am quite convinced that sooner or later we will go to this,” said Purra.

Follower of Juuso?

Kauppalehti asked Purra in Brussels who will be elected Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuson (ps) as successor.

“Tomorrow we have official meetings, of the party and the parliamentary group. Then this decision will be made and it will be communicated immediately. There is nothing to add to this at this stage,” said Purra.

The new minister is likely to have to make additional savings, when according to Purra, the government needs to find savings for “several hundreds of millions” of euros.

“There is a little work to be done regarding the savings on the STM side or the activities of the welfare areas,” said Purra.