UPDATE 1-Finnish unions to suspend strike, ask government to act

Finnish labour unions will next week suspend a four-week strike that has paralysed imports and exports and triggered widespread factory shutdowns, the SAK trade union association said on Thursday.

Thousands of workers have been on strike since March 11 in protest against the government's planned labour market reforms, disrupted ports, the rail system and other logistics. SAK said in a statement it hoped the suspension of the strike would lead to negotiations with the government.

SAK will reassess the situation on April 18, it added.

Also Read: Finnish unions extend strikes against government by one week