Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi
Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi
Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi
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Beneath <strong>the</strong> surface of this similarity, however, <strong>the</strong>re are signi<strong>fi</strong>cant differences<br />
between <strong>the</strong>m. This study concentrated on <strong>the</strong> quality of work<strong>in</strong>g life, its<br />
present state, and changes tak<strong>in</strong>g place <strong>in</strong> it. Undeniable differences could be<br />
found between <strong>the</strong> countries. Their similar backgrounds and start<strong>in</strong>g-po<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
have given rise to ra<strong>the</strong>r different sociopolitical solutions, which have been<br />
reflected ei<strong>the</strong>r directly or <strong>in</strong>directly <strong>in</strong> economic and work<strong>in</strong>g life. In this research<br />
study, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baltic</strong> countries have been purposefully compared among<br />
each o<strong>the</strong>r; and <strong>in</strong> many aspects, F<strong>in</strong>land has been used as a benchmark or<br />
reference po<strong>in</strong>t. Never<strong>the</strong>less, <strong>the</strong> primary <strong>in</strong>tention has not been to create an<br />
apparent rank<strong>in</strong>g order between <strong>the</strong> countries through some k<strong>in</strong>d of<br />
competitive scenario; nor has <strong>the</strong> aim been to give <strong>the</strong>m suggestions or<br />
programmes of action. The task of this study is to stimulate discussion on <strong>the</strong><br />
state of work<strong>in</strong>g life <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> countries concerned and on <strong>the</strong> changes that have<br />
taken place <strong>in</strong> it <strong>in</strong> recent years, as well as to serve as a data bank on work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
life topics.<br />
The present and future challenges faced by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baltic</strong> nations, like those for<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r countries <strong>in</strong> transition, are quite similar. The advantage of low prices<br />
which <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baltic</strong> countries now enjoy, and which is ma<strong>in</strong>ly due to low salaries,<br />
is likely to grow smaller year by year. When this happens, <strong>the</strong>n - as <strong>in</strong> any<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r developed <strong>in</strong>dustrial country - both <strong>the</strong> enterprises and <strong>the</strong> employees<br />
will have to give more and more priority to quality, reliability of delivery etc.<br />
<strong>in</strong> order to keep <strong>the</strong> production <strong>in</strong>side <strong>the</strong> country.<br />
This study exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> changes from with<strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g life and from <strong>the</strong> viewpo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
of ord<strong>in</strong>ary work<strong>in</strong>g people. The comparison of three different countries<br />
and three different strategies of change made this study <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g. It is obvious<br />
that <strong>the</strong> different choices toward progress can accord<strong>in</strong>gly be seen <strong>in</strong> clear<br />
differences of quality and trends <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g life. In what follows, a short<br />
summary of <strong>the</strong> research results is given for each of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Baltic</strong> countries.<br />
ESTONIA<br />
The overall picture of Estonian work<strong>in</strong>g life reveals a development toward<br />
”normalisation”. In many of its s<strong>in</strong>gle aspects, progress has been made <strong>in</strong> a