North Ostrobothnia welfare county to dismiss 302 workers

North Ostrobothnia’s wellbeing services county, known as Pohde, plans to dismiss 302 employees following negotiations covering its entire workforce of about 18,000, Yle reports.

According to information obtained by Yle, up to 511 employment relationships will end as a result of the negotiations. In addition to dismissals, staffing will be reduced through retirements and the expiry of fixed-term contracts. Layoffs and reductions in working hours are also possible.

The measures aim to cut personnel costs by about 25 million euros in 2027. The planned dismissals include 64 people in management and supervisory roles, 104 in specialist and administrative positions, and 134 in customer and patient services.

Pohde’s wellbeing services county director, Ilkka Luoma, apologised to staff during an information session about the decision. The county director, directors of service areas and directors of individual functions will each be laid off for one week.

Pohde will also discontinue its employees’ Epassi benefit and wellbeing fund next year. These cuts are expected to save 3 million euros.

The cost-cutting measures are driven by a gap between Pohde’s funding and rising costs. Government funding for the county is expected to increase by about 1.6 percent in 2027, less than the rise in costs such as wages and purchased services.

The negotiations may also lead to changes in employees’ duties, workplaces, working-time arrangements and pay. Reorganisations and outsourcing are also possible.