Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Finland
Region
Manner-Suomi; Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomi; Lappi
Location of affected unit(s)
Lapland
Sector
Public Administration / Defence
84 - Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
84.1 - Administration of the State and the economic, social and environmental policies of the community
84.12 - Regulation of health care, education, cultural services and other social services

365 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
29 September 2025
Employment effect (start)
3 December 2025
Foreseen end date
1 July 2026

Description

The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland, the Finnish regional public organisation responsible for the provision of health, social, and rescue services, is initiating large scale cooperation negotiations with the aim to cut 600-700 person years.

The negotiations comprise 8,000 employees. The number of direct dismissals vis-à-vis temporary lay-offs and retirements is yet to be determined.

The cooperation negotiations follow a government working group action plan which states that The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland is not allowed a budget deficit in 2026. The Wellbeing Services County’s representatives state that there are uncertainties how the statutory service requirements for welfare regions can be met simultaneously with the cuts.

The Wellbeing Services Counties are a regional government body formed in 2023, responsible for health, rescue, and social services. The austerity policies of the Finnish government have resulted to cost savings in many welfare regions, see also factsheet for Satakunta Wellbeing Services County - 2025 - FISatakunta Wellbeing Services County cooperation negotiations which concluded in April, 2025 and the Central Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County - 2025 - FI Central Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County negotiations initiated in June, 2025.

Update 2025-12-03

The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland has concluded the cooperation negotiations, resulting in the dismissal of 365 staff and changes in work description for almost 1,000 employees. Some health care services face closures and centralisation. Proportionally most dismissals have targeted support services, such as ward secretaries, but health care staff also face dismissals. Nurses’ unions have raised concerns over the future quality of care as well as the workload of the remaining staff.


Sources

  • 29 September 2025: Demokraatti (yle.fi)
  • 1 December 2025: Yle (yle.fi)

Citation

Eurofound (2025), The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland, Internal restructuring in Finland, factsheet number 203429, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203429.