The Finnish Commerce Federation is pleased with the progress of the company restraining order
The government’s proposal for a company restraining order is due to be circulated for comments. The Finnish Commerce Members’ Association considers the long-awaited proposal to be an important measure to improve the safety of stores.
The Finnish Commerce Federation thanks the government for the proposal on the company restraining order being circulated for comments. The proposal is expected in the commerce sector, as disruptive behaviour and threatening situations in stores have increased in recent years.
According to the proposal, a ban from entering a store issued by the court would be introduced in Finland and, at the same time, the regulation of breaches of public peace would be specified. The goal is to strengthen the safety of employees and customers by addressing serious and repeated threatening and violent situations in stores. The proposal implements the Government Programme’s entry on the so-called company restraining order.
”It’s great that the proposal has now progressed to being circulated for comments. The proposal meets the needs that have long been highlighted by the commerce sector and is in line with expectations. “It is important to implement measures that can address serious and repeated disruptive behaviour,” says Terhi Kuljukka-Rabb, Chief Policy Adviser of the Finnish Commerce Federation.
According to the proposal, the court could, at the request of the undertaking, issue a ban from entering a store on the basis of previous disruptive behaviour in order to prevent crimes and other serious, repeated harassment. The police would be responsible for monitoring the ban and violating it would be punishable. The ban could apply to stores that are open to the public, but pharmacies would be excluded from the scope.
The Finnish Commerce Federation has promoted the introduction of the company restraining order for a long time and considers the progress of the law to be a significant step towards better store safety. According to the Finnish Commerce Federation, disturbing, threatening and violent situations in commerce have tripled since 2020. The Finnish Commerce Federation has participated in the drafting of law in the monitoring group and provided practical experience of everyday life in stores.
For further information, please contact: Terhi Kuljukka-Rabb, Chief Policy Adviser, Finnish Commerce Federation, terhi.kuljukka-rabb(at)kauppa.fi, tel. +358 50 300 3263