Finland's Minister of Employment Arto Satonen (NCP) has confirmed that the government will move forward with a proposed law that would leave people on work-based residence permits at risk of deportation if they don't get a new job within three months after becoming unemployed, despite widespread opposition to the changes.
However, in certain cases, this deadline could be extended to six months for certain specialists, Satonen told Yle on Wednesday.
The public consultation period for the government’s proposed three-month unemployment rule ended on Friday, with around 120 responses submitted by the afternoon. With two exceptions, every submitted opinion rejected the government's proposal of a deadline of three or six months for foreign workers.
Respondents repeatedly criticised the time limits as "completely insufficient," warning that the legislation would negatively impact Finland’s international reputation and its ability to attract skilled workers.
Government bill causes widespread concern
Critics have argued that the proposed law is part of a broader series of reforms that make life increasingly uncertain and monitored for immigrants in Finland. Moniheli, Finland’s largest multicultural network, which represents about 160 member organisations, was among the groups objecting to the government's bill.
"At present, a regulatory framework is being created that sees everyone who moves to the country as a threat or a commodity to be disposed of after use. Such communication does not make Finland an attractive country for foreign experts," Moniheli wrote in a statement opposing the bill.
The proposal has been described as politically biassed and failing to consider Finland’s long-term interests. Concerns have been raised that Finland's image and attractiveness have already suffered significantly since the introduction of the government’s programme.
The University of Helsinki noted that the proposal has also indirectly harmed the university’s reputation as an employer and has affected perceptions of Finland as a place to work and live.
A common concern among respondents was that Finland cannot afford such developments in the competitive global landscape.
Satonen: Aiming to increase attractiveness
On Thursday, Satonen published a column defending the need for labour-based immigration in Finland and encouraged employers to seize the opportunities presented by international recruitment.
"The goal is to increase Finland's visibility and attractiveness to international experts, and to make it easier and more ethical for companies to find skilled workers," Satonen wrote.
He emphasised that the key to this effort is the Work in Finland programme, which comprises experts from Business Finland and the Finland's Development and Administrative Services Centre (Keha).
However, Business Finland has expressed concerns that the government’s actions have already negatively impacted Finland’s image. "International experts have perceived the policy as a sign of a lack of appreciation and that Finland is not interested in retaining them," Business Finland stated.
International experts currently in Finland play a significant role in shaping the message that reaches other potential talents worldwide. "If they do not feel welcome, no amount of image work can compensate for it," the agency warned.
Three months not enough time
Almost every respondent to the consultation argued that the three-month, and in some cases six-month, time limit is entirely insufficient to find new employment.
The proposed limit is also seen as technically problematic, as it fails to account for non-compete agreements common in many industries, which often last well over three months.
The City of Tampere also pointed out the conflict between the three-month rule and existing employer obligations, which require a four- to six-month rehiring window depending on the length of the previous employment.
Criticism has also been levelled at the government for failing to provide evidence or research on how long it actually takes different professional groups to find new employment.
Many respondents argued that there is no need for such a tight timeframe. A longer grace period would likely not result in significant additional costs to the state in terms of employee social security.
"Generally, immigrants are motivated to start working as soon as possible. This has been concretely observed in integration plans jointly developed by the TE employment office and municipal social services," stated the South Ostrobothnia wellbeing services county.
A report included in the government’s proposal by the VATT Institute for Economic Research also noted that only one percent of all those holding work-based residence permits had been unemployed for more than three months.
Increasing risk of foreign labour exploitation
The City of Tampere has urged the government to recognise the risk of labour exploitation as part of the legislative reform.
"The draft itself notes the risk that foreign workers may find themselves in a situation where they are forced to accept poorer working conditions or wages in order to stay in the country," the city warned.
Victim Support Finland (Riku), an organisation supporting crime victims, also said there was a significant risk that the regulation would increase the illegal dismissal of foreign workers.
"It would deprive many of the opportunity to challenge possibly unlawful dismissals and to seek compensation. If an employee challenges an illegal dismissal, the process almost always takes more than three months," the organisation stated.
Amnesty International has warned that the regulation would likely increase the number of undocumented immigrants. Deportation would be particularly problematic for those who have settled in Finland more permanently, especially those with families and other ties to the country.
One aspect of bill receives widespread support
One aspect of the government’s proposal has received widespread support — the expansion of working rights which would allow immigrants to change jobs in specifically listed sectors facing labour shortages.
However, the City of Helsinki has urged the government to consider regional differences when implementing this policy.
The city also noted that six of the eight professions listed in the draft require the fulfilment of statutory qualification requirements to work in those fields.
"When a person who has moved to Finland for work has obtained a work-based residence permit for a particular profession, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to meet the qualification and competency requirements for another profession during the validity of their residence permit," the city stated.
Edited for clarity.
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