Luc Triangle

General Secretary, ITUC

Many congratulations to FinUnions on 30 years of working hard for the interests of working people in Brussels, at the heart of the European institutions. It is a moment for reflection and recognition – to look back not just at what you have achieved for working in Finland, but at the vital role Finnish trade unions have played far beyond Europe’s borders.

I saw this personally during my time at IndustriAll Europe. Whether standing with workers in the global South, defending trade union rights at the International Labour Organization, or supporting democratic transitions in conflict-affected countries, Finnish trade unions have consistently shown leadership. Their presence in Brussels through FinUnions ensured that the Finnish voice was not only heard in the corridors of the European institutions but also echoed in international struggles for workers’ dignity.

Worker’s rights, democracy and peace at the core

We have a shared global struggle as trade unions: for workers’ rights, for democracy and for peace.

However, we are at a time of profound uncertainty in Finland, Europe and the world. Inequality is growing. Authoritarianism is on the rise. As clearly shown in the ITUC Global Rights Index, in too many countries, democratic rights—including trade union rights—are being rolled back. Finland’s rating in the 2024 Index worsening from 1 to 2 (repeated violations of rights) was shocking, but also a wake-up call.

The voices of working people are being ignored, and the very fabric of democratic society is under threat.

In response, the ITUC has launched a global campaign for Democracy That Delivers for Working People. It is a call to action, a rallying cry to reclaim democracy from corporate greed and political complacency. This means starting in the workplace with trade union rights for all workers, including platform and informal workers. From there, working people can build democratic societies that deliver a New Social Contract, built on universal social protection, just taxation of billionaires, investment in care and climate-friendly jobs, and a fair economic order that puts people before profit.

The vision of a New Social Contract cannot be achieved without the strength of national trade union movements. Here, the Finnish trade unions—through SAK and STTK—have always been a source of inspiration. Their global engagement has been a central expression of Finland’s deep-rooted commitment to democracy, multilateralism and international solidarity.

Thinking globally, acting locally

Indeed, the legacy of Finnish trade unionism is defined by values that resonate globally: trust in collective solutions, a commitment to fair negotiation, and a belief in the power of education and dialogue. These values have been brought to life in countless ways—through development cooperation projects, global solidarity actions, and tireless support for democratic trade union partners across the world.

At the ITUC, we believe that democracy and trade unionism are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. As the world’s largest social, democratic movement, trade unions have the collective power to achieve great things. And in our fight to defend and win for working people, we rely on the kind of principled engagement that FinUnions and its member organisations have long embodied.

As we look ahead, this global role will only become more important. The climate crisis, technological transformation, and increasing global inequality all demand coordinated trade union action—across borders, across sectors, and across ideologies. That’s why we support strong alliances between unions from the North and South, building inclusive labour movements, and ensuring that the fight for social justice is never confined by geography.

The story will continue

FinUnions’ 30-year presence in Brussels is more than a story of European representation. It is a story of how a small country’s trade union movement has helped shape the global conversation on workers’ rights, democracy and peace.

For that, I say: thank you. Kiitos. We need your continued voice, strength and solidarity in the years ahead. The international trade union movement stands on your shoulders—and together, we will continue to build a world that truly delivers for workers.

Solidarity always.