A word from the president: Without immigration, the economy will stall and services will wither

1.8.2023

Finland is in desperate need of foreign labour, but our country is unfortunately not the most attractive one in Europe. The situation will get even more difficult with too strict limitations on family reunification and acquiring a new nationality, JHL President Päivi Niemi-Laine writes. First-class specialists will not come to Finland to be second-class citizens. This only contributes to a feeling of not belonging.

In recent years, 130,000 jobs have not been created in Finland because no suitable employees have been found for them, according to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. We’ve always had unemployment and a shortage of labour simultaneously, but the situation is more difficult than before.

No excessive limitations

The shortage of employees in the social welfare and health care sector is a big problem. The Kanta-Häme wellbeing services county alone would need a third of the young people entering the labour market during the upcoming years for its social welfare and health care region. Unfortunately, Finland is not the most attractive country in Europe.

First-class specialists will not come to Finland to be second-class citizens.

If we disallow foreigners to come work here, it’s also a slap in the face for Finnish employees. In Finland, employers have to observe collective agreements and pay a salary that corresponds to the agreement. Employers must abide by labour legislation in all circumstances. A task for trade unions is to ensure that employers comply with their obligations and treat their employees equally.

Finnish-born workforce is declining

Because the Finnish-born workforce will decline during the upcoming decades, Finland will in the future be needing significant amounts of labour immigration. Without immigration, the Finnish economic growth will halt, and services will wither.