The Service Union United (PAM) and the Finnish Hospitality Association (MaRa) announced a new collective agreement for the tourism, restaurant and leisure sectors on Monday.
The new two-year contract brings raises denominated both as percentages and in euros, in order to particularly benefit lower-paid employees.
Employees' monthly salaries will increase by at least 96 euros starting from the beginning of June. Wages tied to basic pay scales will rise by 96–115 euros, while other salaries will go up by 4.3 percent. In September 2024, employee wages will rise by 1.7 percent.
"This is a good result, considering the overall situation in the industry," PAM president Annika Rönni-Sällinen said in a statement.
"The euro-denominated solution for the first year is a very good thing, especially for those working in the lowest salary categories. This closes the gaps better than percentual increases. We are also satisfied with the increases in pay scales," she added.
The deal covers some 75,000 employees in the tourism, restaurant and leisure services, as well as 10,000 supervisors. The agreement covers most restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, cafeterias, hotels and spas.
MaRa: Firms, workers suffered during pandemic
The employers' group MaRa described the wage increase as "too large considering the current financial state of the companies, which has been caused by circumstances beyond their control".
"On the other hand, the workers in the industry have also suffered from the coronavirus restrictions that continued for almost two years," MaRa's labour market director Olli Varmo said in a press release.
"The subsidies received by the employees of our industry during the coronavirus period were completely insufficient, as the government and regional administrative agencies prevented them from practicing their livelihoods. The good thing is that the general line created for the labour market supports the purchasing power of our customers," said Varmo.
Both groups' executive boards approved the contract, which runs through March 2025, on Monday afternoon.