What is SASK

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. 

Our long-term goal is that these core labour standards 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

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.

Results of our work

How has SASK’s support benefited the workers in the Global South? See our latest report report (pdf).

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.

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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?

Contact us

Director

Juska Kivioja
Executive Director
+358 50 581 4372
juska.kivioja@sask.fi

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SASK Board 2025–2026

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
Haapalainen Susanna, Trade Union for Public and Welfare Sectors in Finland JHL
Hakkarainen Mikko, Industrial Union
Koskinen Matti, Trade Union Pro
Koivuniemi Sari, Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland Tehy
Kreutzman Nina, The Finnish Construction Trade Union
Rönni-Sällinen Annika, Service Union United PAM
Väänänen Lea, Finnish Food Workers’ Union SEL

Supplementary Members

Björkbacka Pia, The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK
Häggman Maria, STTK
Maunula Annika, Paper Workers’ Union
Takolander Hanna, Social Science Professionals