Chapter 3 | The Building of Paimio Sanatoriumand as late as in 1933, it provided a list of hospitals undergoing refurbishment projects
that would suit this purpose.^644
The general employment situation was reflected in the work of the Building Board
of Southwest Finland Sanatorium. The Building Board discussed in October 1931,
whether the wages on site should be lowered, as it transpired that they were slightly
higher than the average in Turku. Engineer Kilpi pointed out that if the aim was to
maintain the right spirit and good morale at the site, the wages should not be cut.
Moreover, piecework contracts had been applied as much as possible.^645 Kilpi, the clerk
of works, also referred to reliable work teams, by which he meant teams that would not
be causing difficulties. During the depression and after it, building sites hired piecework
contract teams, one of whom was named as the leader.^646
Economic growth following the depression was rapid in Finland. Finland aban-
doned the gold standard on October 12 in 1931, around the same time as the UK and
other Nordic countries did the same. The devalued currency gave a boost to exports and
improved the competitiveness of Finnish manufacturers in the domestic market. The
unemployment rate began to rise in 1929, with the trend continuing until 1932, when
the unemployment figures peaked. In 1933, the situation continued to be dire.^647 The
entire sanatorium building project was executed in a period of time that was marked by
economic instability and political tensions.
644 The list itemises state and municipal federation institutions separately. Suitable sites among state-run institutions
were Pori General Hospital, the Nursing School and halls of residence adjacent to the Viipuri Regional Hospital,
Rovaniemi General Hospital extension, Oulu Regional Hospital, Häme Regional Hospital service building, Turku
Regional Hospital extension and Mustasaari Hospital extension. The suggested sites among municipal federation
hospitals were the new tuberculosis sanatorium sites of the Finnish-speaking municipalities of Uusimaa, munic-
ipalities of South Karelia, the Swedish-speaking municipalities of Central Ostrobothnia and the Finnish-speaking
municipalities of the same region as well as the extension of Oulu District Psychiatric Hospital. Record No. 2793
7110 III. State Medical Board 1933 Da: 25. NA.
645 Building Board October 17, 1931, Section 1. PSA; Törrönen 1984, p. 39.
646 This was a network, the membership of which depended on the approval of its other members. When the em-
ployer’s power increased during the depression, the degree of organisation amongst workers fell. In the 1930s,
finding work depended on being a member of such a work team. The team membership gave security on many
levels, including secure income when times were good and also added security during low seasons. If a builder
was accepted into a team, was skilled and the team leader competent, the member of a team could pay back
his “debt” by committing to the goals of the team. A team of good reputation could operate fairly freely and, for
example, join unions without having to fear major resistance. In this way, a high professional skills level also gave
workers a certain ideological freedom. Peltola 2008a, pp. 321–323.
647 In 1935, the unemployment rate normalised, showing typical seasonal fluctuations. Kahra 1938, pp. 8–9.