Pirha plans to cut 80 full-time positions in workforce restructuring in Finland

The summer’s cooperation negotiations in the Pirkanmaa welfare region (Pirha) have concluded, resulting in plans to reduce the workforce by the equivalent of 80 full-time positions. The layoffs will primarily affect employees in management, supervisory, and specialist roles. Additionally, Pirha will restructure and modify job descriptions; employees who refuse new roles may face termination.

The planned changes will impact a total of 150 staff members. The goal is to reform the management structure and achieve permanent savings of €12 million starting next year. Initially, the organization targeted savings of €20 million, but this target was scaled down in August.

Pirha also aims to generate savings by cutting down on purchased services and reducing rent, premises, and projects. The final outcomes of the negotiations will be presented to the regional council on Monday, October 28.

As the largest welfare region in Finland, Pirha employs approximately 20,000 people. This marks another round of negotiations following discussions that occurred last winter and significant negotiations affecting the entire workforce last fall.

Additionally, the welfare region intends to pursue permanent organizational reforms, focusing on eliminating regional levels of management. This process has already commenced within services for children, youth, and families. The welfare region’s board now plans to propose the removal of regional management levels in strategic guidance and the organization area, as well as from the primary services of social and healthcare sectors.

Furthermore, the board plans to transfer specialized mental health and substance abuse services for children and youth under a single management structure. Support functions for social and healthcare services will also be reallocated within the organization. All organizational changes are expected to be fully implemented by early 2026.