Restructuring events
European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland, the Finnish regional public organisation responsible for the provision of health, social, and rescue services, is initiating large scale cooperation negotiations with the aim to cut 600-700 person years.
The negotiations comprise 8,000 employees. The number of direct dismissals vis-à-vis temporary lay-offs and retirements is yet to be determined.
The cooperation negotiations follow a government working group action plan which states that The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland is not allowed a budget deficit in 2026. The Wellbeing Services County’s representatives state that there are uncertainties how the statutory service requirements for welfare regions can be met simultaneously with the cuts.
The Wellbeing Services Counties are a regional government body formed in 2023, responsible for health, rescue, and social services. The austerity policies of the Finnish government have resulted to cost savings in many welfare regions, see also factsheet for Satakunta Wellbeing Services County - 2025 - FISatakunta Wellbeing Services County cooperation negotiations which concluded in April, 2025 and the Central Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County - 2025 - FI Central Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County negotiations initiated in June, 2025.
Update 2025-12-03
The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland has concluded the cooperation negotiations, resulting in the dismissal of 365 staff and changes in work description for almost 1,000 employees. Some health care services face closures and centralisation. Proportionally most dismissals have targeted support services, such as ward secretaries, but health care staff also face dismissals. Nurses’ unions have raised concerns over the future quality of care as well as the workload of the remaining staff.
Eurofound (2025), The Wellbeing Services County of Lapland, Internal restructuring in Finland, factsheet number 203429, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/203429.