Employer and employee organisations tried to find a solution on how to reach the goal but unanimous agreement was not found. However, several proposals were made and they were divided into 2 main categories: “the hard measures” concerning pension schemes and “the soft measures” dealing with quality issues of working life.

Concerning the pension schemes the main proposals were:

1. the age for old-age pension should be raised from 63 years to 65,
2. the age for early old-age retirement should be raised from 62 years to 63,
3. and early retirement schemes should be dismantled.

The ideas on how to improve the quality of working life were numerous. These proposals were often linked to occupational health service and development of working life.

Changes mentioned above are estimated to prolong working careers with 3 years.

Though the opinions of the labour market parties differed a lot, most of the proposals will probably come into force in the near future. Government has given 5 months to find the consensus. If it is not found, government will do proposals without the common understanding of the labour market parties.

Neither Farmers Union nor Mela have been involved in these negotiations. However, the targets and the results will affect farmers as well. Therefore Mela has started to prepare a “Farmers’ welfare program” which is aiming to the same goal as the general program. Program will be completed by the end of 2010. The focus of the Farmers’ welfare program is in the “soft measures”, changes in the pension system will be the same as in general schemes.