📋 Tender Overview
The meeting discussed the Bureaus draft policy on the coordination of services and benefits. In addition the meeting discussed the study of alternative ways of organizing and the direction in which the study and impact assessments will be taken. The committee met on 25 April 2022. The meeting of the committee began with an overview of the Dutch model of inclusion Different Paths to Employment Special Features and Problems of the Finnish Social Security System in an International Comparison research project. The Dutch model was presented by Professor Minna van Gerven of the University of Tampere. The Netherlands is an inclusive society where unemployment security is more rewarding than in Finland. In the Netherlands sanctions are also in place if a person on unemployment benefits fails to comply with obligations for example in connection with job search. The law stipulates that the unemployed must receive the services training or work that the authority deems appropriate. The duration of unemployment benefits is also short.Despite the consideration of the Dutch model the model is more customer-oriented than in Finland. The biggest difference between Finland and the Netherlands is that in Finland employment or vocational training is almost the only path to activation policy. In both countries the main goal of activation is an open labor market. In the Netherlands however if access to the open labor market is not possible the client is referred to the necessary welfare and reintegration services to remove barriers to employment. The last option is social integration which can be for example volunteering. Thus the aim is always to ensure a persons social inclusion even if the path to the labor market is not possible.Coordination of services and benefits - the Bureaus draft policy was discussedThe Bureau has prepared a draft policy for the Committee on the coordination of services and benefits for the preparation of the interim report. The meeting addressed the provision of services incentives and obligations in disability benefits the development of disability benefits and the development of income support. The aim is e.g. strengthen guidance on the assessment of the need for services and rehabilitation strengthen the timely availability of services prevent the extension of benefit periods support access to employment or study and clarify the disability benefit system. The committee discussed the draft policy. The guidelines will be worked out at the committees autumn meetings.Explanation of alternative arrangements - basic account one basic security benefit basic incomeThe Working Party on Alternative Arrangements for Social Security presented the progress of the study to the Committee. The study is not yet complete but the various ways of organizing and assessing their impact will be worked on. The working group presented three alternative models for the current social security systemBasic accountOne basic security benefit and participation incomeBasic income and negative income taxIn the basic account model payments to finance benefits would be directed to the personal account of the beneficiary. Withdrawal benefits would reduce the account balance. The account surplus would be available for own use for example upon retirement.For the basic security benefit the current minimum basic security benefits would be combined into one basic security benefit. One basic security benefit would consist of several parts a basic housing security compensation care and participation supplement. The benefit would be for those over 18 who do not receive a permanent pension. Basic income would be paid to everyone living in Finland regardless of income level. As a preliminary proposal the working group presented partial basic income as a model for further consideration. A partial basic income would replace basic security benefits including child and active increases but excluding guarantee or national pensions. The basic income would also replace the basic part of home care support study grants and earnings security. The basic income would not replace other benefits such as income support housing benefits child benefits disability benefits etc. Finally the working group presented key constitutional issues for social security reform such as equality coverage benefit levels conditionality and sanctions.Future work of the Social Security CommitteeDuring the spring the sections will work on the Bureaus proposals for reform of the current system for the Committee. After the summer break the work of the proposals will be transferred to the committee. The proposals will be prepared for the Committees interim report and for use by those preparing the next government program. Legislative working groups will be set up for possible law-making projects to be launched on the basis of the proposals. The Research and Evaluation Section will continue to work as a co-ordinator of the Committees work on research and impact assessments as well as a facilitator of the Alternative Organization Study Group. The Working Party on Social Security and Services for Children and Families and the Working Party on Implementation and Digitalisation will continue their work under the guidance of the Presidency. The other sections will take a break after the spring.
