Social partners seek to facilitate the integration of immigrants, but trade unions and some political parties dismiss proposals for reduced salaries for unqualified immigrants.

The discussion on immigrant employment remained active during the first quarter of 2016. In January, the Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo proposed that immigrants without language skills and other qualifications could be hired at lower salaries than collective agreements dictate. The proposal was widely rejected – by peak-level trade unions, opposition parties and the government partner Finns Party. Meanwhile, since December 2015, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, together with the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, have been preparing a rapid employment model for immigrants. The model is to be based on private financing (a so-called 'social impact bond' model) and is expected be implemented during the spring of 2016.

Social partners have also taken steps to facilitate the integration of immigrants. In March 2015, the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) opened a free judicial service on labour-related questions for workers with immigrant backgrounds. The judicial counsellor will also advise immigrant organisations and trade unions. The first of its kind, the service is financed primarily by the European Social Fund. The Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), on the other hand, is engaging in a campaign to promote the employment of immigrants in Finland. The campaign is not targeted at refugees as such; however, the confederation encourages EK members to hire competent refugees, either through the campaign or with the help of other projects.

Disclaimer

When freely submitting your request, you are consenting Eurofound in handling your personal data to reply to you. Your request will be handled in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. More information, please read the Data Protection Notice.