According to Eurostat data, in 2002 full-time workers with comprehensive school education earned about 16 percent more than average than those with similar education in other EU countries. However, Finns with higher education were paid over 20 percent less on average than their counterparts in the EU, reports the trade union.
The chair of the union, Matti Viljanen, says Finland's lower gross income, stiff progressive tax and high price levels lower purchasing power. He says Finns should become familiar with salary and tax policies.
Viljanen adds that wage negotiations this autumn showed how unfamiliar Finns are with salaries and purchasing power internationally, and particularly elsewhere in the EU. He suggests that a committee collect national and international salary statistics before the next wage talks are launched.
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