Finnish employers demand clearer threat alerts to secure critical operations

Finnish employers are calling on authorities to provide more precise information about potential drone threats so businesses can safeguard critical functions and employee safety, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) stated Monday.

The demand follows a May emergency alert in the Uusimaa region, where a suspected drone threat led to widespread disruptions—including some 400 canceled bus routes after drivers stayed home. Markku Rajamäki, EK’s head of corporate security, warned that broad regional warnings could prevent essential workers from reaching their posts, risking lives in elderly care and environmental damage in process industries.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hosted a cross-sector discussion on drone threats Monday, as public debate continues over whether employers must pay workers who stay home due to such alerts. The trade union confederation STTK has argued that affected employees should receive full wages.