Finland is cautiously opening its doors to immigrant workers

A group of trade and industry analysts have been involved in a research project which was financed by Sitra, the Jubilee Fund of Finnish Independence, as a result of which they have come to the conclusion that Finland should introduce an active immigration policy which would welcome immigrant workers.

At the end of last year there were 91,000 foreigners living in Finland, of whom slightly less than one third originated from the former Soviet states. According to the analysts Finland needs workers from other countries because the large post-war generation will be retiring during the next 5 to 10 years whilst at the same time more services will be required to cater for an ageing population.

The research indicates that in the intensifying international competition for workers, Finland is in a good position. The Finnish welfare state, efficient administration, the safe environment and positive career prospects at the workplace, are all factors which favour Finland. The language barrier, the generally uncommunicative nature of the Finns and the lack of human resources management skills at the workplace, were points which were mentioned as being unfavourable.