Concerns raised over working atmosphere in Finnish Social and Health Committee

In a recent discussion about the poor working atmosphere in the Finnish Social and Health Committee, Ville Meriläinen, a member of Parliament from the Social Democratic Party, shared his concerns, which did not surprise former chairman Markus Lohi from the Centre Party, as they have spoken about the situation multiple times. Meriläinen announced that he would not comment further on the matter to the media while on sick leave.

Lohi, who chaired the committee during the last electoral term, noted they tackled difficult issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and extensive health reforms. He recalled that despite differing opinions, they managed to maintain a positive spirit within the committee.

Expressing concern over the current state of the Social and Health Committee, Lohi acknowledged that the long-known issues of morale have resurfaced, particularly after Meriläinen labeled the committee as a “sick work community.” He stressed that no workplace, including Parliament, should cause individuals to go on sick leave due to a negative atmosphere. Lohi emphasized the importance of maintaining a good working environment, especially during challenging times.

He also pointed out that personal relationships and party affiliations significantly influence the atmosphere in the committee, rather than the issues at hand. According to Lohi, difficult matters should be resolved without jeopardizing personal relationships.

Furthermore, Lohi expressed worry about proposals to transfer decision-making responsibilities away from the Social and Health Committee, which he believes undermines longstanding practices and traditions. Following discussions, it was decided that the committee would retain oversight of matters regarding hospital network reductions and remote sales of alcohol. Lohi has extensive experience in committee work, having served in various leadership roles since 2019.