Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) paid out around 454,000 euros in performance bonuses to its executives this spring, according to information obtained by tabloid newspaper Iltalehti, even though nearly 1,000 employees face redundancy.
The IL report revealed that one-time performance and achievement bonuses were paid to a total of 26 executives, whose fixed monthly salaries range from 10,000 to 15,000 euros.
Among the recipients of the bonus payments was Maaret Castrén, a first-term MP for the National Coalition Party (NCP). Castrén received over 11,000 euros in bonuses as director of HUS's Emergency Medicine and Services.
The highest bonus this spring was 28,019.85 euros, paid to Matti Holi, the Director of Services for Women, Children, and Youth, who has a fixed salary of 14,837 euros. The second-largest bonus of 27,403.20 euros was awarded to Raija Kontio, director of Non-Operative Medical Services, who also collects a monthly salary of 14,596 euros.
On average, HUS executives received 17,471 euros in bonuses this spring, reflecting an 11.3 percent increase from spring 2023.
According to HUS, performance bonuses are added to the fixed salaries of some executives based on achieving set targets. These bonuses range from 0-20 percent of the total salary.
Members of the senior executive team, such as the CEO or CFO, do not receive additional bonuses or incentives beyond their fixed monthly salary, a HUS statement outlined.
In August, HUS announced it would start lay-off talks affecting its entire workforce of approximately 28,000 employees. The need for reductions could reach up to 990 person-years, as the body aims to achieve savings of some 50 million euros.
The negotiations are expected to be completed by the end of October.
Unemployment struggles
One of Helsingin Sanomat's most-read stories on Monday features an "ideal immigrant" from Germany who is now struggling to pay rent amid Finland's growing unemployment crisis.
The HS report details how 32-year-old Timo moved from Germany for love, became a father, and secured a well-paying job as a software developer even before finishing his business degree. But he was laid off in May and is now struggling to make ends meet.
In the summer, Timo received about 975 euros per month in unemployment and housing benefits from Kela. After mandatory expenses, including child support and rent for a student apartment, he had around 105 euros left to support himself and his child.
Kela significantly reduced Timo's supplementary benefits when he took an international trip booked before he became unemployed.
Timo told HS he is now urgently seeking new employment, but he has had no luck so far. If he doesn't find work soon, he said he may have to sell his belongings, like his TV and bicycle, and he is worried about getting evicted due to late rent payments.
"I was in shock at how quickly my life fell apart after becoming unemployed," he said.
Timo had previously always encouraged his friends to move to Finland, but said he can no longer make that recommendation.
Warmer weather ahead
After the recent spate of thunderstorms and overcast weather, Finland will see sunny conditions again, predicts Finnish meteorologist Pekka Pouta.
A weather report from commercial broadcaster MTV forecasts widespread sunshine across nearly all of Finland in the coming days. The first heatwave day is likely to arrive by mid-week as very warm air moves into Finland from the east.
"And it doesn’t stop there! I don’t even know how long the heatwave will continue," Pouta said.
The report also highlighted that Finland is on the verge of breaking its historical record for the most "heatwave days" or days that breach Finland's official threshold of 25 degrees Celsius. The existing record of 65 heatwave days, set in 2002, is now at risk as this year’s temperatures have already exceeded the heatwave threshold 63 times.
In terms of statistics, the heat could continue for a while, as the latest heatwave day in Finland was measured after mid-September.
"There’s no definite sign in the monthly forecast of when this will end," Pouta said.
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