Soste begins redundancy talks, nearly all staff may be laid off

Finnish social and health NGO Soste has announced it will begin redundancy negotiations covering its entire staff, following a recent policy change by the Social and Health Organisations’ Support Centre (Stea).

Stea last week tightened its funding criteria for next year, stating that core and umbrella organisations like Soste will no longer qualify for support. Soste currently receives €2.8 million in annual Stea funding.

A preliminary assessment by the employer suggests up to 29 of Soste’s 31 employees could face redundancy.

In a statement, Soste chair Hanna Markkula-Kivisilta said cutting advocacy work in the social and health sector would effectively silence the voices of those who are often unheard.

The issue has sparked debate within Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government. Social and Health Minister Wille Rydman proposed new funding criteria for NGOs, but Orpo said the cabinet will review them before the summer break. Rydman maintains the criteria are not open to negotiation.