FINLAND’S trade unions started a two-week political strike on Monday in opposition to labour market reforms and social security cuts being forced through by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

The strike is set to halt cargo transport at ports, disrupt freight rail services and complicate the operations of process industries and is set run through to March 24.

The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) says that 7,000 workers will be on strike, which will have an impact on raw materials, intermediary products and end products which are transported by rail.