Customs begins talks as eastern rail traffic dwindles

Finland’s Customs agency will begin negotiations over possible staffing changes because of reduced rail traffic at the eastern border, Yle reported. The talks cover 41 employees working in mobile teams in Savo-Karelia and Nuijamaa, and in image analysis at the Vaalimaa scanning facility.

Customs is considering transfers to other offices, part-time work and other alternatives. Up to 23 employees in the Savo-Karelia and Nuijamaa mobile teams are at risk of temporary layoffs.

Negotiations are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 18. Rail traffic at the border has fallen since Russia began closing rail crossing points from July, with Vainikkala the only one left open. Traffic at Vainikkala has also declined after Russia raised tariffs on rail shipments to Finland eightfold. Customs says fertilizer shipments through Finland to other parts of the world have stopped.

Last summer, Customs temporarily laid off more than 100 employees at the eastern border, including staff in Nuijamaa, Imatra and northern crossing points.