Finland’s Minister of Labour visits Äänekoski amid job loss concerns

Finland’s Minister of Labour, Arto Satonen, visited Äänekoski on Tuesday but did not offer direct financial support to address the region’s economic struggles. The town of Suolahti, part of Äänekoski, is facing the potential loss of over 400 jobs in the coming years. Earlier this month, Metsä Group announced the shutdown of its long-standing plywood factory in Suolahti. Additionally, tractor manufacturer Valtra has proposed layoffs affecting up to 60 employees. This poses a significant challenge for Suolahti, which has a population of around 4,500.

At this time, Minister Satonen stated that it is premature to discuss specific funding amounts. “We are not at that stage yet,” he remarked. The local delegation had met with the minister less than two weeks prior, expressing hopes for investment support for businesses and training assistance for the unemployed. Satonen indicated that the Central Finland ELY Centre still has resources to support individuals who become unemployed, emphasizing the need for concrete, viable projects to possibly access structural fund support.

While a new Metsä Group sawmill, set to open in a couple of years, could create around 150 new jobs, the job deficit remains considerable. Metsä Group has pledged to offer positions to laid-off workers at its other facilities, but Satonen acknowledges the challenges of relocating for work.

The likelihood of Äänekoski being designated as an area of sudden structural change remains uncertain. Local leadership is advocating for this designation to secure significant government support, similar to the assistance provided to Jämsä after the closure of the Kaipola mills. The region is also in the early stages of forming a structural change group, composed of local actors and ministry representatives, to facilitate dialogue and updates on the situation.