NordenBladet — The Government supports the European Commission’s initiative to create a legislative framework for a European digital identity and a digital identity wallet application. The Commission’s initiative is in line with Finland’s national preparation.On 3 June 2021, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on European digital identity. The European digital identity would be a tool for EU citizens, for people living in the EU and for businesses for identification and for indicating data related to a person. It could be used for both public and private electronic and other services. Every EU citizen and person residing in the EU region would have access to a personal digital wallet related to their state-guaranteed identity. The purpose of the proposed regulation is to reform the eIDAS Regulation adopted in 2014 on electronic identification and trust services related to electronic transactions in the internal market. The proposal aims to promote cross-border electronic identification by two parallel means. The regulation would create a common legislative framework for the European digital identity and the associated wallet application. EU Member States would be obliged to offer at least one wallet application in accordance with the Regulation. The use of the digital wallet application would be free and voluntary for citizens. In addition, the proposal would make changes to the current EU Member State notification procedure for electronic identification systems under the eIDAS Regulation. In the future, EU Member States would be obliged to notify the European Commission of at least one compatible identification system. The fulfilment of the above-mentioned obligations will be assessed nationally. At the national level, the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the work related to the processing and influence of the proposed regulation in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications.Government supports the common European solution The Government supports the creation of the proposed legislative framework for a European digital identity and the associated wallet application. However, this is a new set of regulations that contains obligations significant in terms of principle targeted at EU Member States. As a result, further preparation should particularly take into account the varying capacities of Member States to provide the wallet application to the parties required by the proposal.The Government considers it justified that certain private sector actors are obliged to adopt the wallet application in their services. Further preparatory work should ensure that the list of sectors that are obliged to approve the wallet application for identification in their services included in the proposal is accurate and appropriate.According to the Government, it should be ensured that the premise of the proposal for the development of electronic identification will not cause overlapping costs and development work in the Member States. The Government also pays attention to the economic impacts on the private and public sectors, which are still difficult to assess.In Finland, a digital identity certificate is currently developed in a digital identity project led by the Ministry of Finance. The aim of the project is to create equal prerequisites and opportunities for all people working in social services to demonstrate their digital identity, as confirmed by the authorities. The project will enable electronic identification of people from Finland in the services of other EU Member States while accommodating ongoing joint European development work.On Thursday 9 September, the Government sent a Union communication on the matter to the Parliament. A Union communication is used in EU affairs whenever there is a matter concerning an EU legislative proposal or other proposal that falls within Parliament’s competence.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government has issued a decree according to which the Act on Discretionary Government Transfers to Develop Business Operations in 2021–2028 will enter into force on 1 November 2021. The grant programmes under the Act will be used for implementing the EU’s regional and structural policy programmes in the programme period 2021–2027 and for nationally funded grants.The President of the Republic approved the Act on 13 August 2021, and the decree issued now only lays down the date when the Act will enter into force. The Act will enter into force at the same time as the new programming period for regional and structural policy in 2021–2027 begins in Finland.Two forms of support: business development aid and support for improving companies’ operating environmentThe Act applies to two forms of support granted by the ELY Centres: business development aid and support for improving companies’ operating environment. Business development aid is granted for innovative development measures and investments related to growth or internationalisation. Support for improving companies’ operating environment may be granted to non-profit public and private organisations and foundations for projects that improve the operating environment and development conditions of companies.Grants will be funded from appropriations from the State budget and from European Union funds, in particular from the European Regional Development Fund and the Just Transition Fund. The allocation of grants will take into account the objectives of EU and national regional and structural policies as well as competitive aspects. Key priorities for the programming period 2021‒2027 are the promotion of carbon neutrality, energy and material efficiency and digitalisation.Changes to eligible sectors and conditions on granting aidThe main elements of regulation will remain unchanged. The scope of eligibility for business development aid will change so that only primary production in agriculture, fisheries and forestry would be excluded from it. For example, companies in the fish processing sector or those that serve the forestry sector will no longer be excluded from the scope of the aid.Consideration for environmental aspects has been added to the conditions for receiving business development aid. These may include projects that promote the objectives of regional and structural policy programmes, such as decarbonisation or energy and material efficiency, or that have other positive effects on the environment.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Separate restrictions on the number of customers or the opening and licensing hours of food and beverage service businesses will be removed in Central Finland as the region returns to the baseline restrictions.The decree will enter into force on Friday 10 September 2021.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions that are at the community transmission phase of the epidemic — Southwest Finland, Pirkanmaa, Kymenlaakso, Uusimaa, South Karelia, Ostrobothnia and South Ostrobothnia — from 10 September: Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 22.00 and be open between 5.00 and 23.00.Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages may have only half the normal number of customer seats in use in their indoor and outdoor premises. Other food and beverage service businesses are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats in indoor and outdoor premises.All customers must have their own seat at a table or similar in both indoor and outdoor premises. Customers are instructed to stay seated in indoor premises. Businesses must draw up and provide their customers with instructions on how to enter or leave the premises or access the area designated for smoking or the toilets and washing facilities and how to collect their takeaway orders of food and drinks. In practice, dancing and karaoke, for example, are not allowed.Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions that are at the acceleration phase of the epidemic — Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, North Savo, North Karelia, Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, South Savo and Satakunta — from 10 September: Food and beverage service businesses may serve alcoholic beverages between 7.00 and 00.00 and be open between 5.00 and 1.00. Food and beverage service businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages are restricted to half of their normal number of customer seats indoors. Other food and beverage service business are restricted to 75 per cent of their normal number of customer seats indoors. As before, all customers must have their own seat by a table or counter when indoors. The number of customer seats in outdoor terraces is not limited. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in the regions that are at a stable level — Åland, Central Finland and Lapland — from 10 September:There are no separate restrictions on the number of customers or on licensing and opening hours.As before, all customers must have their own seat by a table or counter when indoors.The obligation to observe the general hygiene guidelines and to keep a safe distance applies in all areas.Exceptions to restrictions remain unchangedThe restrictions laid down in the decree do not apply to the activities of staff restaurants or to takeaway sales of food to customers. The restrictions on opening hours do not apply to food and beverage service businesses on vessels and aircraft that operate between Finland and other countries or abroad or to food and beverage service businesses that operate at distribution stations for liquid fuels.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — During the coronavirus pandemic, entrepreneurs have been entitled to labour market support on less stringent conditions than usual. The Government proposes that the right to labour market support would continue under the same conditions until 30 November 2021.At present, entrepreneurs are entitled to labour market support due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic until the end of September. On 9 September 2021, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to extend the temporary provisions.“The Government aims to reopen the society and lift the national restrictions. It will, however, take time before the operating conditions of companies recover. By continuing the temporary right of entrepreneurs to labour market support, we can safeguard their livelihoods in this uncertain situation,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.The extension would apply to an estimated 21,500 entrepreneurs in a month. The extension is estimated to increase spending on unemployment security by about EUR 30 million.What are the conditions for an entrepreneur to be eligible for labour market support?As a rule, a person who has been self-employed at a full-time basis is entitled to unemployment benefit once the business activities have ceased completely. During the coronavirus pandemic, entrepreneurs have been able to apply for labour market support without having to terminate their business activities. The end of the person’s full-time work or the reduction in income must, however, be due to the coronavirus epidemic.An entrepreneur may receive labour market support if, due to the coronavirus pandemic,their full-time employment has ended orthe monthly income from the entrepreneurial activities is less than EUR 1,089.67 per each person engaged in these activities as an entrepreneur.Labour market support concerns all entrepreneurs regardless of whether they engage in business as self-employed persons or in the form of a company. Support can be granted to entrepreneurs in all sectors.How does an entrepreneur apply for labour market support?The entrepreneur registers as an unemployed jobseeker and provides an account of the termination of their full-time employment or decrease in income due to the coronavirus epidemic.The TE Office issues a labour policy statement to Kela.The entrepreneur applies to Kela for labour market support.Kela pays the labour market support to the entrepreneur.If an entrepreneur has already registered as a jobseeker at the TE Office and is entitled to labour market support due to temporary extension of the Act, they should use the services of the TE Office as agreed.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Finland will participate in the EU cooperation that enables donation of COVID-19 vaccines purchased in advance. During this autumn, about 3.6 million vaccines will be donated to developing countries. The vaccine donations will not slow down the rollout of vaccinations in Finland.Vaccines will be distributed through the international COVAX AMC (Advanced Market Commitment) financial mechanism through which world’s poorest countries will get access to COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines are offered to low- and middle-income countries that have experienced problems with their availability.In its session on 9 September, the Government decided to donate three million Astra Zeneca and 650,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses. The total value of these vaccines is EUR 10 million. The donation is tied to the vaccine doses that remain unused from Finland’s share of the EU’s joint vaccine procurement contract. The vaccines that Finland will donate will be delivered directly from the international pharmaceutical manufacturers to the countries in question.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Finland supports the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) by EUR 3.6 million between 2021 and 2023 to develop value chains in sustainable forestry, mining and circular economy and to create jobs in developing countries. The project also includes a section strengthening the position of women and promoting gender equality in the work of UNIDO. The agreement was signed in Vienna on 8 September.Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari stresses Finland’s commitment to supporting the economic development of developing countries in an environmentally sustainable manner that mitigates climate change. “The circular economy is a topical solution to this challenge. Funding for UNIDO promotes the gradual transition of developing countries to the circular economy,” Minister Skinnari says. Finland was the first country in the world to draw up its own circular economy action plan five years ago. The Government has set the goal of making Finland a carbon neutral country by 2035. “Cooperation with UNIDO offers opportunities for Finnish companies and other actors,” Minister Skinnari encourages.UNIDO promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development for developing countries. It supports both the private and public sectors in developing countries in order to promote their broad-based prosperity and competitiveness. As UNIDO supports societal reforms and private sector measures that are favourable to the environment, climate and low-carbon development it cooperates extensively with companies, business subsidy organisations and research institutes.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland will start preparing the technical implementation and operating model which will allow Finland to issue the EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate to people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in a non-EU country.In addition, it will be examined whether it is possible to issue the certificate in case of vaccine products that are listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO).People who are staying or living in Finland but who have been vaccinated in non-EU countries may be issued with the EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate at the end of October at the earliest.
The EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate has been available to people vaccinated in Finland since 22 June. The EU certificate of a full course of vaccination has also been available to people who have received their first vaccine dose in another EU Member State or in a non-EU country and their second dose in Finland.In principle, the COVID-19 vaccination certificate is issued by the country where the vaccine was administered. If a person has received the doses required for a full course of vaccination in different EU countries, they will receive a certificate of a full vaccine course from the country where the second dose was administered.Digital COVID-19 certificates issued by certain non-EU countries can already be digitally checked in EU Member States. Currently, such non-EU countries include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, San Marino, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the Vatican. The number of countries will increase as the EU and different non-EU countries agree on the interoperability of the certificates.Each EU Member State can decide for itself what kinds of COVID-19 certificates it requires from incoming travellers.Further information

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — Finland will participate in an online Human Rights Pledging Event held by international human rights organisations on Wednesday 8 September. At the event, the countries standing for candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2022–2024 will reply to questions posed by the public, organisations and state representatives.In the virtual event, organised by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and Amnesty International, the candidate countries will present the themes and objectives that they have set for their candidacy for membership. In addition, the public, civil society organisations and state representatives will ask the candidate countries about the status of human rights in their own country and about their membership pledges.Finland’s representative at the event will be the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jukka Salovaara. By participating in the event, Finland proves its commitment to its possible membership of the Human Rights Council, human rights and dialogue with civil society. The multilateral international system would be incapacitated without the contribution of civil society, research institutes, journalists and companies. If elected to membership of the Human Rights Council for 2022–2024, Finland will continue to consult and engage these actors in efforts to defend human rights.Effects of climate change and digitalisation on human rights at the heart of Finland’s campaign

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — I am a Finnish citizen/ I have a residence permit to Finland. I am in Afghanistan and want to return to Finland. What should I do?Finland’s relief efforts in Afghanistan have ended. The Finnish Embassy in Kabul has been closed until further notice, and we are not able to offer consular assistance in Afghanistan.Under the Consular Services Act, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides assistance to Finnish citizens and foreign citizens residing permanently in Finland, but the opportunities for giving assistance are currently very limited.  Persons in dire distress can turn to local or international organisations (for example, the Red Crescent, the Red Cross, UNCHR) and ask for assistance.The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation and examining possibilities to provide assistance. If you are still in Afghanistan, follow the local media and advice given by the local authorities.The Ministry for Foreign Affairs advises Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland who are still in Afghanistan to submit their travel plans and contact details at www.matkustusilmoitus.fi. Through the matkustusilmoitus.fi service, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is able to contact persons who are staying in the country and send them information about possible changes in the situation. Are you able to bring my family members from Afghanistan to Finland?Evacuations from Afghanistan have ended.Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland always have the right to return to Finland. Instead, a family member of a foreign citizen needs a residence permit to be able to move to Finland. Please visit the website of the Finnish Immigration Service for more information about the residence permit

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

NordenBladet — In its negotiations on 6 September, the Government decided on measures to open up Finland and lift the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government aims to dismantle the nationwide restrictions and comprehensive recommendations when at least 80 per cent of people over 12 years of age have been vaccinated twice or they have been offered the opportunity to get vaccinated twice. The implementation of the revised hybrid strategy will begin in stages even earlier.The Government will issue a resolution on an action plan implementing the revised hybrid strategy at the government plenary session on Thursday 9 September. Restrictive measures can be lifted proactively even before reaching the target vaccination coverage. The objective of the revised hybrid strategy to manage the COVID-19 crisis is to reopen society, promote measures to keep it open, support post-epidemic management and create conditions for economic growth and reconstruction. Moreover, the strategy aims to avoid negative social and economic consequences, to safeguard healthcare system capacity and to protect risk groups and vulnerable groups.A vaccination coverage of 80 per cent of all people over 12 years of age can be reached by mid-October, according to estimates at the turn of August and September. Phases of the epidemic will be discontinued and a uniform regional model will be introducedThe action plan aims to support the Regional State Administrative Agencies and municipalities in assessing the proportionality and necessity of their decision-making. It aims to avoid overburdening the healthcare system and prevent uncontrolled spread of the epidemic. Another objective is to guide and direct work to achieve a high level of vaccine uptake. As a rule, there will be no restrictions on any activities in society. Even if there were clusters of infection in the area, the recommendation is that no restrictions should be imposed on low-risk events and activities. Targeted recommendations can be introduced for moderate-risk events and activities. Targeted and carefully selected restrictions are recommended only for high-risk activities. These should be based on administrative decisions as a response to local special situations. The primacy of the best interests of the child will continue to be implemented in all decision-making.  The Government is currently preparing the introduction of a COVID-19 passport. Its purpose and intended use would be partly parallel and complementary to the risk-based restrictions. Anyone subject to restrictions could choose to use the COVID-19 passport and thereby avoid the restrictions.The action plan includes a national emergency brake mechanism that could be adopted in situations where the epidemic suddenly and rapidly deteriorates and where regional measures are no longer sufficient to curb the spread of infections. In such cases, more extensive nationwide measures would be reintroduced. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi