Critics argue the reform risks reducing the number of caregivers. According to reporting by Ilta-Sanomat, the legislative proposal has drawn criticism over concerns that technological solutions could replace human staff.
Rydman dismissed that interpretation during the Yle interview.
“This is a Social Democratic interpretation. The legislation does not propose replacing nurses,” he said.
Under the proposal, the government aims to achieve savings of about €51 million. Based on calculations linked to staffing ratios, the reform could correspond to a reduction of around 800 care workers.
Rydman stressed that the figure reflects a theoretical estimate rather than a real decrease in the workforce.
“On the contrary, the number of care staff will increase in the future,” he said, citing the ageing population and rising demand for care services.
The minister argued that technological tools could reduce the need for additional staff as the elderly population grows, rather than cut existing jobs.
The proposal has faced scrutiny in parliament. According to information reported by Yle, five of the six experts heard by the parliamentary Social Affairs and Health Committee recommended returning the bill to the ministry for further preparation or sending it back to the Constitutional Law Committee for additional review.
The committee voted on Friday not to seek a new constitutional review. Government parties secured the decision by a narrow 9–8 vote.
In the Yle interview, Rydman also outlined plans for further reductions in state support for organisations in the social and health sector. The minister said the government would continue reviewing grants to third-sector groups “with a fine-toothed comb”.
Rydman argued that parts of the sector operate inefficiently.
“There are actors in the expensive NGO field whose efficiency is questionable,” he said.
He described some organisations as “well-paid sheltered workplaces for former politicians”, adding that certain groups focus mainly on working groups, press releases and lobbying activities aimed at securing continued subsidies.
Government cuts to social and health organisations during the current parliamentary term amount to about €140 million. Rydman said additional reductions remain possible despite those measures.
Funding from the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations, known as STEA, supports a wide range of groups, including organisations working with migrants, family welfare services and supported holiday programmes.
STEA’s own effectiveness assessments for 2024 found fewer than one percent of funded activities received weak ratings, while 7.4 percent were rated satisfactory.
Rydman acknowledged that some organisations perform valuable work, citing shelters for families and victims of violence as examples.
The minister’s remarks triggered criticism from opposition politicians. Social Democratic MP Aki Lindén said there is a gap between the government’s rhetoric on public healthcare and its policy decisions.
“From these statements I naturally agree with the minister,” Lindén said in a statement released by the Social Democratic parliamentary group. “But these principles are not visible in the government’s practical solutions.”
Lindén challenged the government’s claim that welfare regions have received €4 billion in additional funding between 2023 and 2026. He said the figure largely reflects previously legislated mechanisms that compensate deficits and account for rising costs such as wages and service purchases.
At the same time, the government has reduced welfare region funding by €650 million and prepared further cuts worth €390 million, according to Lindén.
The Social Democratic lawmaker also criticised the elder care technology proposal, saying the debate is not about whether digital tools should be used in care services.
“Technology should of course be used,” Lindén said. “But it cannot serve as a justification for immediate funding cuts in elder care.”
HT
