Finland’s future is on the chopping block

If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you or someone you know is among the 500,000 people who have moved to Finland for family, work, or study—three of the most common reasons people from abroad choose to make Finland their home. Since last spring’s Parliamentary elections, the climate in Finland for those who weren’t born here, but are choosing to build their lives here, has become increasingly difficult.

Disturbing anti-immigration proposals

The government has already made proposals that will extend the time required for permanent residence and citizenship. This makes long-term planning difficult, and furthers the distance needed for those who wish to feel truly integrated into Finnish society.

They have also proposed increasing the cost of tuition by reducing available scholarships and waivers. This further restricts the level to which international students can enjoy life without worry.

Now, the proposal for the so-called “three-month unemployment rule” is under discussion.

Under this proposal, migrants with a work-based residence permit would have only three months to find a new job if their employment in Finland ends, with some exceptions allowing up to six months. These short time limits for the length of unemployment are unrealistic; they are boundaries that even the average native Finn would have serious challenges meeting.

The broad opposition against the three-month rule proposal was clearly evident in the English-language public hearing event organised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. During the hearing, people expressed their deep frustration and anger. Participants felt used and unappreciated, and many were visibly upset by the lack of clear answers from civil servants.

We hear you. You are right to be frustrated or angry by the hostile anti-immigration policy proposals. You are also not alone; you are part of a large group with many supporters. These proposals are not unpopular only among foreigners — they are also facing significant opposition across the board, from employer and employee unions to cities, universities, startups and student associations, to name a few.

The growing evidence of the damage

The evidence is mounting against the logic of the government proposals. Recently, the international Expat Insider survey results showed that Finland’s reputation had plummeted in the eyes of foreign born residents.

This week, TEK and the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland released a survey of international professionals living and working here. Alarmingly, 90% of respondents find the current immigration discourse concerning. Over 40% reported facing discrimination in recruitment, often due to a lack of Finnish language skills or because the Finnish labour market undervalues qualifications and work experience from abroad.

These respondents are typically people who have stable jobs they are happy with and who want to stay in Finland for the long term or permanently. They are people Finland must hold onto, instead of pushing away.

Why then are these proposals being pushed? And what should be done instead?

The government argues that the changes are for worker protection, in line with the limits on deportation found at the EU level. If this was truly the case, why have only the minimum protections required by the EU been introduced? Why not extend the time, to make the policy fit with the facts.

The government claims to care about a strong economy. While cuts and savings are sometimes necessary, Finland’s future is crippled with immigration.

A future-proof economy is built on diversity—a diverse and resilient society that can bring together a complex and ever-changing group of people, creating something greater than the sum of its parts. To flourish, Finland must welcome and integrate those who have risked so much to move here and declare this small Nordic nation their new home.

In the Greens, we believe in this future.

Our immigration and economic policy programmes are designed to help realise this vision of a diverse society. We believe that Finland should, for example:

• Lower the language proficiency requirements for Finnish or Swedish.
• Make the recognition and accreditation of foreign skills and degrees more flexible.
• Set a goal for the public sector to hire immigrants in proportion to their local population.
• Prioritise employment opportunities for the spouses of international talent.
• Support international students’ employment during their studies and after graduation by creating a joint internship program for higher education institutions.

What should we do now?

As someone born outside of Finland, you might feel that when changes are made, you don’t have a voice, or the power to affect change. The amazing thing about Finland though, is that your voice does matter here. You can make a difference, by standing together, and by refusing to be ignored.

It is clear that the current government’s direction does not reflect the values or desires of most Finns. Even within the government coalition, not all parties fully support these changes. They know that this is not why people voted for them, and they are parties whose minds may still be changed.

Finland should not need your action. As a country, it should be able to push towards a diverse future without relying on the work of those who already carry heavier burdens. Unfortunately, for this, Finland does need your voice.

The three-month unemployment rule and related topics have been covered widely in the media, and public debate on them will continue. Many issues, such as the increased risk of exploitation and the added bureaucracy for hiring non-Finnish workers, have already been raised by other commentators. The more vocal we are of the negative impacts of these policies, the stronger our case will be.

If you want to join like minded people to create change, in the Greens we have a place for you. The English-language Green branch is dedicated to the strength that diversity from all over the world brings. For Finns, inner strength is called Sisu. Hence, this branch is Green Sisu: we represent the true strength that Finland must embrace in the future. Find out how to join here: https://greensisu.fi

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