Helsinki - The Finnish parliament Wednesday approved controversial legislation allowing employers to track e-mails sent by employees.

The legislation was adopted 96 to 56 while 47 parliamentarians were absent at the final reading of the bill.

The so-called data protection law does not allow employers to read e-mails, but e-mails and the size of attachments can be tracked on suspicion of corporate espionage.

The bill sparked a debate and local media nicknamed it Lex Nokia, citing reports that the Finnish-based mobile phone giant had lobbied for the bill after it suspected a case of industrial espionage several years ago.

Nokia, including chief executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, have denied reports that it had threatened to relocate its corporate headquarters from Finland if the bill was not adopted.

Critics said it would not prevent espionage while allowing private corporations to handle tasks normally in the domain of the judiciary.

Critics included members of the Green Party, one of the four parties in the ruling coalition. Two Green Party legislators voted against the bill on Wednesday. (dpa)