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The 11th annual Gender Equality Days (Tasa-arvopäivät) were organised on 8-9 October 2025 at the Clarion Hotel Aviapolis in Vantaa. 

18.5.2026 | The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold its 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 18–23 May 2026. Finland’s delegation will be led by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman.

17.4.2026 | A total of 5,000 patients have been evacuated from Ukraine to EU Member States under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The 5,000th patient was evacuated to Finland. Finnish Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen and EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib met on 16 April to discuss issues such as the evacuation of patients.

Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon palveluvalikoiman periaatteita koskevaksi lainsäädännöksi ESITYKSEN PÄÄASIALLINEN SISÄLTÖ Esityksessä ehdotetaan muutettaviksi terveydenhuoltolakia, sosiaalihuoltolakia ja sosiaali- ja ...

9.4.2026 | The Government is proposing changes aimed at preventing intentional misuse of social security, reducing incorrect social security payments and improving information exchange with Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.

23.3.2026 | The sufficient Finnish or Swedish proficiency of professionals working in the healthcare and social welfare sector forms an essential part of patient safety and service quality. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is currently preparing measures to make it easier to ensure language proficiency, and to support employers in enhancing professionals’ language skills.

16.4.2026 | The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances. The proposal would implement the Norwegian model for child home care allowance. The proposal seeks to promote the integration and labour market position of women with an immigrant background and to increase the participation of children in early childhood education and care.

9.3.2026 | EU ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 March. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

Contact information Communications Unit / VIE Communications Unit / VIE Iina Bister, Communications Specialist Communications Unit / VIE Address Meritullinkatu 8, 00170 Helsinki Phone number +358295163015 Email [email protected] Mariina Cervera Li...

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s assessment of the combined impacts of government proposals, taking into account fundamental and human rights. The assessment memorandums are prepared annually as part of official duties and published in the Government Project Register Hankeikkuna.

Support and benefits The Finnish social protection system includes various forms of financial support and benefits designed to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to take part in working life and society in general. Children and parentho...

Work ability programme The aim of the work ability programme was to eliminate obstacles to the employment of people with partial work ability and develop services to support the work ability of people with partial work ability The work ability pro...

17.2.2026 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on a proposal to amend the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances. The proposal seeks to promote the integration and employment of women with an immigrant background and to implement the so‑called Norwegian model for child home care allowance, in line with the Government Programme of Prime Minister Petter Orpo.

Working life programmes Working life programmes The Government’s working life programmes produced concrete solutions for working life and the service system during the 2019–2023 government term. The implementation of the programmes was based on th...

22.9.2025 | The Government has submitted a proposal to Parliament for an act on general social security benefit. In the first stage, the general social security benefit would be a new social security benefit for unemployed jobseekers, replacing labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance. The legislation concerning the general social security benefit is scheduled to enter into force on 1 May 2026.

22.9.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has today published three memorandums assessing the combined impacts of the Government’s changes to social security during this parliamentary term. The memorandums focus particularly on the impacts of the comprehensive reform of social assistance.

8.8.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of EUR 14.8 billion for the Ministry and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 475 million less than in the 2025 Budget. The funding of wellbeing services counties is not included in the appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government. Instead, it falls under the main title of the Ministry of Finance.

8.10.2025 | Gender Equality Days is the main annual event in the field of gender equality in Finland, and this year it will be organised as part of the programme for Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the UN World Conference on Women in 1995.

20.1.2017 | Suomi jatkaa aktiivista työtään maailmanlaajuisen terveysturvallisuuden parantamiseksi. Suomi on puheenjohtajana kansainvälisessä JEE-Allianssissa lokakuuhun 2018 asti. Allianssi tukee eri maiden terveysturvallisuuden arviointia ja kansainvälisen terveyssäännöstön (IHR) toimeenpanoa sekä lisätoimia niiden kehittämiseksi. Suomi on myös maailmanlaajuisen terveysturvaohjelman Global Health Security Agendan (GHSA) ohjausryhmän jäsen.

30.6.2022 | 1 HAKEMUS VALTIONAVUSTUKSEN SAAMISEKSI SOSIAALITYÖN YLIOPISTOTASOISELLE TUTKIMUSHANKKEELLE VUODEN 2022 HAKU Hakija Hankkeen hallinnoinnista vastaava organisaatio Jyväskylän yliopisto Sähköposti (kirjaamo tai vastaava) kirjaamo(at)jyu.fi Postiosoit...

11.9.2025 | The Government is proposing to Parliament a legislative amendment that would oblige the wellbeing services counties to prepare for the use and threat of military force. The amendment concerns the Act on Organising Healthcare and Social Welfare Services, and it aims to ensure close cooperation between the wellbeing services counties and the Finnish Defence Forces in both normal and emergency conditions.

8.10.2025 | Finland and Uruguay have signed a social security agreement between the two countries in Montevideo on 7 October 2025. As regards Finland, the agreement applies to the earnings-related pension scheme, and as regards Uruguay, to the pension schemes for employees.

7.10.2025 | The Nordic ministers responsible for gender equality and LGBTI will meet in Hämeenlinna on 7 October. The meeting will be chaired by Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

23.9.2024 | The two memorandums published on 23 September 2024 assess the combined impacts of the changes to income security that the Government is preparing or implementing for the years 2024–2025.

27.5.2024 | The World Health Organization (WHO) is holding its 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 27 May–1 June 2024. This is one of the most significant World Health Assembly meetings in years. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

9.5.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft government proposal concerning the general social security benefit by 19 June 2025. This is the first stage of the extensive social security reform where different basic social security benefits will be gradually combined into a single general social security benefit.

23.9.2024 | The Finnish Government proposes about EUR 15.2 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2025. This is about EUR 1.1 billion less than in 2024.

8.5.2025 | The series of social security dialogues held by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Timeout Foundation brought out a wide variety of views and development suggestions from citizens on the future of social security. The outcomes of the dialogues will be presented at a webinar on 15 May 2025.

4.7.2025 | Starting from 1 September 2025, persons aged 65 and over can book a private healthcare appointment and pay only a deductible that is equal to the client fee charged for public healthcare services. The pilot is based on developing the reimbursements paid by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). The President of the Republic approved the legislative amendments enabling the pilot on 4 July 2025.

23.9.2024 | As outlined in the Programme of Petteri Orpo’s Government, the Government will implement a central government productivity programme to support the Government’s objective for sustainable public finances.

6.5.2025 | The responsibility for unemployment security matters will be transferred to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen on 6 May when Matias Marttinen replaces Arto Satonen as the new Minister of Employment.

18.10.2024 | Finland and Ukraine signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector on Friday 18 October 2024 in Helsinki.

31.10.2025 | Healthcare and social welfare 2040 vision Views and proposals of Ministry of Social Affairs and Health officials regarding needs for changes to the healthcare and social welfare service system Permanent Secretary Veli-Mikko Niemi In “Healthcare an...

10.12.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Timeout Foundation are hosting a series of 25 Timeout dialogues to discuss the future of social security. The aim is to increase public debate on social security, strengthen dialogue between various parties, increase citizens’ participation in the social security reform, and produce information to support decision-making.

9.4.2026 | 1 ADI-ROM(2025)26 Restricted Strasbourg, 9 March 2026 COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA AND TRAVELLER1 ISSUES (ADI-ROM) 13th meeting Strasbourg, 1-2 April 2026 Explanatory Memorandum Recommendation to the member States on desegregation and inclusion po...

10.1.2023 | Different ways of organising social security have been examined as part of the preparation of the social security reform. The report on alternative ways of organising social security, which was made by a working group consisting of researchers and experts, was published on Tuesday 10 January 2023.

28.6.2022 | Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen will visit Tallinn on 29 June to meet with Estonia’s Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo. The topics to be discussed include the situation of Ukrainian refugees and the social security systems in both countries and developing them. 

26.3.2024 | Finland’s social security reform aims to streamline and simplify the social security system and to introduce more incentives for work. During this parliamentary term, the social security reform will include both government projects and the work of the Social Security Committee.

10.4.2024 | On 9 April 2024, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health appointed a working group to prepare a package of measures to facilitate immigrant integration, and a language allowance for inclusion in labour market support, as outlined in the Government Programme.

16.5.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on the comprehensive reform of the Social Assistance Act by 27 June 2025. The amendments to the Act would strengthen, for example, the obligations of recipients to apply for primary benefits and full-time work. The aim is to reinforce the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance and to strengthen general government finances.

10.4.2024 | Finland and Uruguay have started negotiations to conclude a social security agreement between the two countries. The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate the operation of Finnish companies in Uruguay.

6.7.2021 | On Tuesday 6 July, the Government decided on a decree and on a model for preventing the spread of COVID-19 infections to Finland from abroad.

21.9.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal for extending the validity of the temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act concerning entry into the country. The provisions aim to protect the health of the population by preventing COVID-19 infections of foreign origin from spreading into Finland. Health security measures similar to those proposed by the Government are in place in many EU countries.

21.9.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal for extending the validity of the temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act concerning entry into the country. The provisions aim to protect the health of the population by preventing COVID-19 infections of foreign origin from spreading into Finland. Health security measures similar to those proposed by the Government are in place in many EU countries.

4.9.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft bill that aims to simplify the unemployment security system and increase employment. The proposed amendments would concern the prior work requirement for employees to be entitled to unemployment benefits, the adjusted unemployment benefit, the starting date of the right to receive unemployment benefits, and the child increments to unemployment benefits.

19.10.2023 | The Government decided on 19 October 2023 to change the composition and duties of the Social Security Committee for the remainder of the Committee’s term.

11.8.2020 | To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, more measures will be targeted at travellers arriving in Finland from so-called high-risk countries. These include an official quarantine order or a requirement to take a coronavirus test. The matter is currently being prepared as the aim is to introduce rapidly a new operating model.

7.9.2023 | The Third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen was held in Kyiv on 6 September 2023 on the invitation of Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. The summit also brought together health ministers from EU Member States and WHO European Region who signed a statement at the event. 

13.12.2023 | The parliamentary Social Security Committee will meet for the first time during its second term on Thursday 14 December 2023.

30.11.2023 | The EU health ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday 30 November 2023. The ministers will exchange views on safeguarding the EU’s open strategic autonomy in the field of health, particularly on how to ensure the availability of medicines in Europe. They will also approve conclusions on mental health. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

12.10.2023 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal aimed at reforming unemployment security to provide more incentives for work. The proposed amendments concern the prior work requirement for an employee to be entitled to unemployment benefit, the adjusted unemployment benefit, the starting date of the right to receive unemployment benefit, and the child increments to unemployment benefits.

29.11.2024 | The EU’s Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will meet in Brussels on 2 December 2024. Minister of Employment Arto Satonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

10.12.2024 | Finland has ranked eighth in the Gender Equality Index for the European Union (EU). The position is the same as last year. The Index measures gender equality in various domains, such as work, health and power.

19.12.2024 | Mediation in domestic violence cases will be discontinued from the beginning of 2025. In future, domestic violence cases can be mediated only when they concern petty offences committed by minors against their parents or other custodians or their relatives.

1.12.2020 | Research and innovation activities in the health sector will be developed in a target-oriented way in 2020–2023. People’s health and wellbeing will be improved through research and technological development. Steps will also be taken to advance Finland’s international position as a forerunner in health sector research and innovation, investment and new business.

16.3.2021 | Maailman terveysjärjestön (WHO) alainen riippumaton yleiseurooppalainen terveyden ja kestävän kehityksen komissio vetoaa Euroopan hallituksiin, talous- ja sosiaalialan sidosryhmiin sekä kansainvälisiin järjestöihin covid-19-pandemiasta toipumisen nopeuttamiseksi.

16.3.2023 | The Social Security Committee’s interim report was published on Thursday 16 March 2023. The report includes 31 proposals for reforming social security under future governments and the policy guidelines for the Committee’s work during its second term.

5.6.2020 | The Government has finalised the policy outlines for the health and social services reform, on the basis of which preparations for the reform will continue. The aim is to circulate the draft bills on the restructuring of health and social services for comments in June.

5.6.2020 | The proposal aims to strengthen the financial position of people in need of unemployment security in a situation where many have become unemployed or have been laid off.

22.6.2022 | On 22 June, the Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 received an epidemiological review as well as an overview of the updated vaccination strategy and testing and tracing strategy.

19.2.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal for amending two sections of the Communicable Diseases Act. The amendment to section 16 of the Act concerns the right of the Regional State Administrative Agencies and physicians to decide on compulsory health examinations and the amendment to section 22 concerns the obligation of those who have or have been exposed to a communicable disease to provide information about themselves.

8.9.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft bill that proposes amendments to the Act on General Housing Allowance. The proposed amendments would concern lowering the reimbursement rate of the allowance, tightening the effect of the income that affects the allowance, and abolishing the earned income allowance and the support for owner-occupied housing.

21.10.2020 | A summary of comments received on the draft government proposal on the organisation of health, social and rescue services is published. Respondents welcome the objectives of the reform and agree on its necessity.

8.7.2021 | A total of 1,282 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Finland between 28 June and 4 July. During the previous week the corresponding figure was around 960. The number of new cases has doubled compared to the preceding two-week period: during the past two weeks, the number of new cases totalled 2,240, while in the preceding two-week period, it was 1,093. The weekly number of COVID-19 cases was at its lowest in week 24 (between 14 and 20 June), totalling around 530.

25.8.2022 | The second phase of the reform concerning services for older people will improve particularly services provided at home and housing services. The reform will, for the most part, enter into force on 1 January 2023 simultaneously with the health and social services reform. The amendments will also apply to other client groups of social services. 

11.3.2021 | Finland recorded nearly 4,400 new cases of COVID-19 between 1 and 7 March, which is the highest number since the epidemic started. The situation is now particularly difficult in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa and the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. The need for hospital care has continued to increase almost throughout the country.

8.12.2020 | The Government proposes that wellbeing services counties be established and healthcare, social welfare and rescue services be reformed. The proposed counties would be established as soon as possible after the passing and approval of the relevant bills. The bills would enter into force in stages, the first ones on 1 July 2021 and the last ones on 1 January 2023. However, Parliament needs to pass the legislative package before the reform can enter into force.

13.7.2023 | The Government Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo contains a number of entries on legislation related to the mandate of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The entries concern, for example, the organisation of healthcare and social welfare services, benefits and pensions.

21.9.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal on the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, or the COVID-19 passport. It is proposed that the provisions on the EU Digital COVID Certificate be added to the Communicable Diseases Act.

21.9.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal on the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, or the COVID-19 passport. It is proposed that the provisions on the EU Digital COVID Certificate be added to the Communicable Diseases Act.

7.9.2023 | Det tredje toppmötet för första damer och herrar ordnades i Kiev den 6 september 2023 på inbjudan av Ukrainas presidents maka Olena Zelenska. Vid toppmötet sammanträdde också hälsoministrar från EU-länderna och Världshälsoorganisationens medlemsländer i Europa. Ministrarna undertecknade ett gemensamt uttalande i samband med mötet.

22.12.2023 | Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen has invited Teresa Salminen, Master of Social Sciences, to serve as her Special Adviser. Salminen will deputise for Special Adviser Sakari Rokkanen during his family leave between 2 January and 31 July 2024.

7.10.2021 | On 6 October, 84 per cent of the target population for COVID-19 vaccination in Finland, i.e. people who are 12 years of age or over, had received at least one vaccine dose and 72 per cent had received two doses. According to the current estimate, it is possible to achieve 80 per cent vaccination coverage by the end of October, if the increase in the vaccine uptake does not slow down.

9.12.2021 | The second phase of the reform concerning services for older people will proceed to Parliament for consideration. The reform aims to improve particularly the sufficiency and quality of services provided to older people at home. It will also expand the diversity of services.

21.10.2021 | On 20 October, 85 per cent of the target population for COVID-19 vaccination in Finland, i.e. people who are 12 years of age or over, had received at least one vaccine dose and 76 per cent two vaccine doses. According to the current estimate, it is possible to achieve 80 per cent vaccination coverage by the first week of November, if the increase in the vaccine uptake does not slow down.

14.10.2021 | On 13 October, 85 per cent of the target population for COVID-19 vaccination in Finland, i.e. people who are 12 years of age or over, had received at least one vaccine dose and 74 per cent two vaccine doses. According to the current estimate, it is still possible to achieve 80 per cent vaccination coverage by the end of October, if the increase in the vaccine uptake does not slow down.

22.12.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on the recommendation for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality. The basis for successful rehabilitation is that people feel they are heard, the doctor-patient relationship works well and people receive individual support.

1.12.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has published a strategy for digitalisation and information management in healthcare and social welfare.

9.7.2020 | The amendments made to the Communicable Diseases Act enable the development of a mobile application that helps break the chains of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission more effectively. The Government submitted the bill amending the Communicable Diseases Act for approval and the President of the Republic approved the bill on Thursday 9 July. The Act amending the Communicable Diseases Act will enter into force on 31 August 2020.

27.11.2023 | The EU employment and social affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on 27–28 November to discuss, among other things, the European disability card. Other topics on the agenda include green collective bargaining, the EU action plan against racism, and social investment. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso will represent Finland at the meeting. 

20.12.2023 | Additional common EU reserves will be established in Finland. The new reserves will contain supplies such as medicines, medical supplies and medical devices, and they are part of the rescEU project. Finland has received a total of EUR 305 million in funding from the European Commission for the establishment of the reserves

4.5.2025 | Koronaviruspandemia ja sosiaalityö – glokaalit haasteet ja ratkaisut Tutkimussuunnitelma 13.11.2020 PANDA-tutkimusryhmä Prof. Timo Harrikari Lapin yliopisto 2 1. TUTKIMUSHANKKEEN TARKOITUS JA TAVOITTEET ...............................................

11.12.2023 | The International Gender Equality Prize was awarded to the Afghan Women Skills Development Center, which works to promote and protect the rights of women in Afghanistan. The organisation does important humanitarian work to promote the safety of Afghan women.

17.12.2021 | The Social Security Committee has identified the main problem areas of the current social security system and issues now 18 positions for reforming the system.

8.10.2020 | OECD’s research “Faces of Joblessness” identifies eight faces of joblessness in Finland. The research is acquired by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Kela. The results will give insight on the social security reform.

12.10.2023 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal for amending the Act on the General Housing Allowance. The proposed amendments concern lowering the reimbursement rate of the allowance, tightening the effect of the income that affects the allowance, and abolishing the earned income allowance and the support for owner-occupied housing.

18.8.2020 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has decided to temporarily restrict the sale and release for consumption of medicinal products containing paracetamol or dexamethasone. The restrictions will enter into force on 18 August 2020 and will remain in force until 15 January 2021.

4.9.2020 | In recent weeks, there has been discussion about whether a full communicable disease allowance should be paid to people who may have been exposed to coronavirus because of their own actions. This type of situation may occur, for example, when people travel to countries where the coronavirus situation is worse than in Finland or when people attend public events.  

11.6.2020 | The Government proposes amendments to the Communicable Diseases Act that enable the development of an information system for contacting people who may have been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). The information system would consist of a mobile application and a back-end system with the goal of supporting the management of the coronavirus epidemic.

23.11.2023 | The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU will hold an informal ministerial meeting on equality in Pamplona on 23–24 November 2023. Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen will represent Finland at the meeting. The meeting will focus on violence against women.

5.6.2020 | The Government wants to secure the financing of unemployment benefits under the emergency conditions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

20.5.2020 | The Government proposes a temporary increase in the exempt amount of the unemployment benefit. Eligibility for commuting and relocation allowance for full-time work would be amended temporarily by decreasing the distance required for daily commuting.

11.6.2020 | The exempt amount of the unemployment benefit will be temporarily raised. Eligibility for commuting and relocation allowance for full-time work will be temporarily amended by decreasing the distance required for daily commuting.

20.12.2022 | The President of the Republic has approved the amendments to the Abortion Act. In future, a pregnancy may be terminated solely based on the pregnant woman’s request until the end of the twelfth week of pregnancy. In the 1970 Act, an opinion by two doctors was required in most cases for the termination of pregnancy, and grounds had to be presented.

17.12.2020 | Exceptions were made to the Act on Unemployment Security Act due to the coronavirus pandemic. The aim has been to ensure the livelihood of employees and entrepreneurs. Some of the exceptions will continue until the end of March 2021. The extended right of laid-off employees to study during the lay-off period will continue until the end of 2021.

17.1.2023 | The European Commission is funding the EU’s first chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear strategic reserve in Finland, under rescEU, which includes personal protective equipment, measuring equipment, pharmaceuticals and antibodies in Finland for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear accidents.

17.6.2020 | The purpose of the temporary compensation is to support the most vulnerable persons and families who have incurred extra costs as a result of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus epidemic.

29.6.2020 | The financial position of people in need of unemployment security will be strengthened in a situation where many have been unemployed or laid off. The central government will temporarily contribute to the financing of earnings-related allowances.

17.12.2021 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft government proposal according to which the nationwide use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, i.e. the COVID-19 passport, would also be possible by law when there are no restrictions in force.

9.4.2020 | Employers are now in a situation where they have to adjust their operations as the demand is weakening due to the coronavirus epidemic. The livelihood of employees will be strengthened as many of them are facing unemployment or layoffs.