Photo : Silja Viitala / Yle
13 January 2024, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #729
Europe in Brief
By Meenakshi R and Padmashree Anandhan
ESTONIA
Estonian teachers propose long term salary agreement
On 12 January, ERR reported on Kristina Kallas, Estonia's Education Minister efforts to initiate discussions with the government for a mandate to increase salary of the teachers and improve working conditions for the years 2025-2027. Although there is no proposed pay increase for 2024, the minister emphasised a significant 5.7 per cent raise for 2024. The Estonian Educational Personnel Union (EHL) announced an open-ended strike scheduled for 22 January, which has prompted Kallas to engage in negotiations with relevant stakeholders to devise a state budget strategy (RES). EHL strongly emphasizes the necessity of a collective agreement to prevent future conflicts and aims to bridge the salary gap between kindergarten teachers and those in general education. While the union is open to dialogue, they firmly insist on concrete actions from the government to address the concerns of teachers regarding their pay and working conditions. ("Kallas seeks government mandate for teachers' long-term salary agreement," ERR, 12 January 2024)
FINLAND
Continues to shut its border with Russia over fear of hybrid operation
On 12 January, yle reported on Finland’s decision to maintain border closure with Russia. Mari Rantanen, Finland’s Interior Minister declared a four-week extension to the complete closure, which was initially imposed in December. The decision to extend the closure is based on the unchanged threat landscape and the paramount importance of national security. There are concerns that a Russian hybrid operation, facilitating the influx of asylum seekers to the border, thereby exacerbating tensions. Despite the occasional passage of a freight train, all eight checkpoints remain steadfast, leaving migrants stranded in the harsh Russian winter. Finnish authorities are now urgently seeking permanent solutions to resolve this frosty diplomatic standoff. ("Finland to keep Russian border shut until mid-February," yle, 12 January 2024)
GERMANY
Tesla pauses berlin car production due to Red Sea shipping disruptions
On 12 January, Deutsche Welle reported on stalling of the German production of Tesla for a duration of two weeks due to the impact of Red Sea attacks. The interference caused by Iranian-backed militants in shipping operations has severely affected supply chains, resulting in the temporary closure of Tesla's Berlin plant and causing delays in deliveries throughout Europe. This pause in production serves as a significant example of how regional conflicts can have far-reaching consequences on global trade. Companies like Tesla are now faced with the challenge of finding alternative, longer, and more expensive routes around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the unpredictable Suez Canal.("Red Sea attacks halt Tesla production at German plant," Deutsche Welle, 12 January 2024)
Chemical leak reported in Konstanz
On 12 January, a chemical leak was reported from a plant in Konstanz, southwestern Germany. In the incident, seven were hospitalised due to exposure from toxic fumes out of 25 who were reportedly suffering from respiratory tract irritation. According to the police spokesperson, employees of the company initially detected a corrosive gas from the fruit processing and nitric acid, detergent Horolith were the key leaked components. Following the leak, using a protective kit the container was moved out of the building to release the gas in larger atmosphere without causing further fire in the building. (“Germany: Several hospitalized in Konstanz chemical leak,” Deutsche Welle, 12 January 2024)
THE UK
NHS vital care under criticism
On 12 January, the BBC reported that the NHS is facing a critical situation. An alarming analysis has uncovered a concerning fact that important objectives related to A&E, cancer care, and planned surgeries have been consistently missed for a minimum of seven years throughout the UK. As a result, patients are left in a state of uncertainty for months, enduring the consequences of this systemic failure. Heartbreaking stories of late-stage cancer diagnoses and excruciating waits for necessary procedures have emerged. The NHS is on the verge of collapse due to understaffing, insufficient funding, and the backlog caused by the pandemic. Consequently, patients are the ones bearing the burden. While the Labour party boldly promises to meet crucial targets if elected, it is evident that the NHS requires immediate action rather than mere empty words. It is imperative to make sustained investments and implement significant reforms to ensure that the NHS can provide the vital care that patients desperately need and deserve. (The key NHS targets that have never been met," BBC, 12 January 2024)
TURKEY
Defence ministry claims attack on Syria and Iraq
On 13 January, Politico reported on Turkey’s airstrikes on Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq. The strike comes in response as a retaliation to the attack on its military bases in Iraq. In the airstrike, Turkey destroyed “29 bunkers, shelters, oil facilities in the Metina, Hakurk, Gara and Qandil regions in northern Iraq and northern Syria.” According to Turkey’s defence ministry, the attacked sites had belonged to Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG). Turkey considers both the groups as terrorist organisations and has carried out regular bombing in Syria and Iraq. Hakan Fidan, Turkish Foreign Minister said: “We will fight to the end against the PKK terrorist organization within and outside our borders.”