By empowering trade unions and building up their capacities SASK aims at enforcing of international labour rights, promoting decent work and living wages and thus supporting struggle against poverty and social inequality.
Decent work
By decent work, we mean that people should have access to regulated, safe and healthy work that guarantees a living wage. As far as the core labour standards are concerned, we refer to the International Labour Organization ILO.
Living wages
A living wage refers to a wage that enables a person to support themselves and their families reasonably. The salary must be sufficient for nutritious food, housing and other necessities of life, and it must be possible to save a little for a rainy day.
However, a living wage is very often not achieved in developing countries. Ordinary workers do not usually achieve it.
A living wage is different from the minimum wage set by the government. The minimum wage is a political compromise – and the result is often far from a standard that is truly sufficient for living. In many countries, the purchasing power of wages is also eroded by soaring inflation.
Fundamental principles and rights at work
SASK’s work is based on the fundamental labour rights defined by the ILO in 1998.
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
- Elimination of forced labour
- Effective abolition of child labour
- Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
- Safe and healthy working environment.
Our long-term goal is that these rights are respected all over the world. Primarily, we are able to exert influence in the main countries where we operate.
In addition to these core labour standards, a number of other conventions have been agreed on within the ILO to address specific problems in certain areas.
Several SASK projects aim at ratifying such a convention, like the convention C180 against the violence and harassment and C189 on the rights of domestic workers. Once the convention is ratified, SASK often supports its implementation through local trade unions and confederations.
ILO states clearly that labour rights are human rights. The work of SASK is based on the same idea.
Where we work
SASK has dozens of development cooperation projects in
- South and Southeast Asia (India, Nepal, Indonesia, The Philippines)
- Africa (multiple countries)
- Latin America (Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala).
Our partners are usually Global Union Federations and trade unions.
How we work
We support the reduction of poverty and inequality and promote decent work and living wages by strengthening the trade union movement and the position of workers in developing countries through our development cooperation programme.
Poverty can be reduced through collective agreements and social policies that enable the working population to gain their share of national development and wealth. Poverty and inequality are also reduced by promoting social inclusion and increasing people’s opportunities to take an active part in social processes.
Trade unionism is a sustainable tool for improving the opportunities of the working population to influence social policies and to reduce inequality. That is why SASK works with the trade union movement, and research and training organisations that support its goals.
SASK was founded by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions SAK and its affiliated unions in 1986. Since then, SASK has become a widely representative solidarity body of the Finnish trade union movement with two central organisations and 34 national federations as affiliated members.
Call for concept notes
SASK is seeking Concept Notes for operations to promote workers’ rights in the world of work during the next SASK programme period 2026–2029. The purpose of this call is for organisations to present their proposals for future operations and apply for funding. Please see the call for concept notes below.
Strategic themes
Besides ensuring the core labour standards defined by the ILO, SASK concentrates on three themes that are visible in our project work as well as in domestic operations.
Code of Ethics
SASK’s Code of Ethics (pdf) guides all its operations, procedures, and organisational culture. SASK expects all actors to adhere to the Code of Ethics, to set an example for others, and to inform if the Code of Ethics is violated.
Do you suspect misconduct?
If you suspect misconduct in SASK’s operations, use this online form to express your concern or suspicion of misconduct.
We take all misconduct and suspicions of misconduct seriously. If you so wish, you can express your concern anonymously.
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Download SASK logos here.
Contact us
Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland SASK
Address: Hämeentie 19 A, 00500 Helsinki, Finland
Director
Juska Kivioja
Executive Director
+358 50 581 4372
juska.kivioja@sask.fi
International operations
Juha Vauhkonen (on leave)
Head of International Operations
Core labour rights
Living wages
+358 45 139 7119
juha.vauhkonen@sask.fi
Tarja Valtonen
Specialist,
Gender equality &
non-discrimination
+358 40 541 0107
tarja.valtonen@sask.fi
Anna Perttula
Head of International Operations (acting)
Specialist, Just transition
+358 40 541 6155
anna.perttula@sask.fi
Camilla Lohenoja
Specialist,
Digitalisation and
the new forms of work
+358 45 206 6840
camilla.lohenoja@sask.fi
Regional Representatives
Simião Simbine
Regional Representative, Africa
Maputo, Mozambique
+258 82 3008534
simiao.simbine@sask.fi
SASK Africa Office Address
Rua da Imprensa, 256 – Sobreloja nº 5
Prédio dos 33 Andares, Maputo
Mozambique
Farizan Fajari
Regional Representative, Asia
Jakarta, Indonesia
+62 815 1623 634
farizan.fajari@sask.fi
SASK Indonesia Office Address
Ruko Food Plaza 1 No. 53 Cibubur Country Cikeas
Jl. Letda Nasir No. 8, Cikeas
Kab. Bogor, Jawa Barat 16966
Indonesia
Patricio Sambonino Rivera
Regional Representative, Latin America
São Paulo, Brazil
+593 9974 74408
patricio.sambonino@sask.fi
Domestic operations
Ellinoora Vesala
Head of Domestic Operations
+358 50 461 9307
ellinoora.vesala@sask.fi
Laura Ventä
Communications Specialist
+358 44 024 1275
laura.venta@sask.fi
Roosa Rusanen
Volunteer Specialist
+358 50 309 9517
roosa.rusanen@sask.fi
Administration
Ville Hirsikangas
Head of Finance
+358 50 3367584
ville.hirsikangas@sask.fi
Heli Kallio
Administrative Assistant
+358 44 751 8817
heli.kallio@sask.fi
Milla Leppänen
Quality and Impact Officer
+358 50 4839984
milla.leppanen@sask.fi
SASK Board 2023–2024
Chairmen of the Board
Kokko Ismo, Finnish Transport Workers’ Union AKT (chairman)
Haikonen Jaakko, STTK (vice-chairman)
Piirainen Marko, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK (vice-chairman)
Members (in alphabetical order)
Arnkil Jenni, Trade Union of Education OAJ
Hakkarainen Mikko, Industrial Union
Koivuniemi Sari, Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland Tehy
Koskenheimo Hanna, Trade Union Jyty
Koskinen Matti, Trade Union Pro
Kreutzman Nina, The Finnish Construction Trade Union
Haapalainen Susanna, Trade Union for Public and Welfare Sectors in Finland JHL
Ylitalo Jaana, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK
Supplementary Members
Väänänen Lea, Finnish Food Workers’ Union SEL
Holstila Ansku, Social Science Professionals
Björkbacka Pia, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK
Häggman Maria, STTK