Some weeks ago, former Economic Affairs Minister Jyri Häkämies raised the subject of the fate of a number of state-owned companies in a speech at the Finnish Foundation for Share Promotion.
The companies included the state monopoly alcohol retailer Altia, government marketing and communications company Edita, the waste management provider Ekokem – and land-based travel network developer Destia.
Parliament had already given the green light to divest all or part of the government’s stake in the state-owned enterprises.
According to information received by Yle, the government’s economic policy committee discussed the sale of the infrastructure company last week, based on a proposal presented by Heidi Hautala, the minister responsible for government ownership issues.
At the time however, lawmakers from the Social Democratic Party indicated that they were not yet prepared for a final decision on the matter.
Previous disagreement over sale
There have been previous disagreements over plans to sell Destia. Back in 2010, parliament sought permission to sell government's stake in the company. At the time the SDP's Jutta Urpilainen resisted the motion.
And in 2009, current Transport Minister and Green League parliamentarian Merja Kyllönen said that it was in the state's best interests to retain ownership of the road- and rail-building company. Both ministers are now being called on to help resolve the fate of the company.
In granting permission to divest ownership of Destia, lawmakers decreed that the company should remain in local hands and that government should maintain a significant minority shareholding.
However the Federation of Salaried Employees (Pardia) and the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare sectors (JHL) oppose any move to sell off or reduce government’s stake in the company.
According to the JHL, previous exercises in culling government's influence in state-owned companies have not been encouraging.
Employers' representatives say rather, that it is possible to have efficient management, even in the state sector. Moreover, they fear the payroll cuts that could result if the company is transferred to private sector ownership.