I think part of the ‘hope’ was that people would get a better attitude (the long-term unemployed folks), and they would start a trend of looking for real work.
You see this issue discussed a good bit around Europe, and you can find lots of folks on the long-term listing. Rather than focusing on the guy’s lack of skills or just plain bad attitude (maybe drug use or alcohol use)....they basically want to throw enough money at this....that the guy would react and get a real job.
Part of the other issue for Finland....someone finally sat down and added up the full cost if it went national, and it seems that they admitted that the cost factor scared the political parties a good bit (huge taxation chatter).
So they are back at the same position....lot of long-term unemployed and no idea how to get them focused on a work-agenda.
Eventually the socialists will get serious—guaranteed income and electroshock therapy until your attitude “improves”.... :-(