Lauri Ihalainen (born 14 May 1947) is a Finnish trade union leader and politician who served as the Minister of Labour between 2011 and 2015.

[5] He became the president of the SAK on 25 May 1990, replacing Pertti Viinanen in the post.

[6] He was also the deputy chairman of Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance company.

[7] In addition, he served as the director of Metsämiehen Säätiö, southern region of Finnish Ice Hockey Association, Orders of the Finnish White Rose and Finnish Lion, director of VR Group Ltd. and director at Solidium Oy.

[9] Ihalainen's tenure ended in May 2015 when Jari Lindström was appointed to the post.