Issue of attracting foreign workers shows differences among political parties
Finland's political parties have differing views over whether the government should put in more of an effort to attract foreign workers into the country. The centre-right parties the National Coalition Party and the Swedish People's Party would most eagerly see the state authorities increasing their efforts in tempting in foreign labour. Also in the Centre Party's view work-based immigration should be supported, although the party does not suggest any specific means of doing this.
The National Coalition Party, currently in opposition, goes furthest in its views, suggesting the establishment of recruitment agencies abroad, which would provide language education already in the countries of origin of prospective workers.
Last autumn Finland approved an immigration policy programme, which emphasises the government's active role in recruiting labour from abroad. Nevertheless the Social Democratic Party have adopted an opposing attitude in this matter: according to the SDP, it is the employers' responsibility to secure their workforce, not the government's.
The Green League is of the opinion that Finland needs foreign workers, but before commencing an active programme whereby labour is enticed from abroad, efforts should be made to reduce racism and obstacles to giving work to foreigners.
The Left Alliance, the Green League, and the National Coalition would increase Finland's refugee quota from its present 750 per year. All parties, save the Centre Party and the SDP, would make Finland's work permit practices - which have been criticised as being slow and complicated - more flexible.
The citizens of the European Union do not need a work permit, so the problems concern those coming from outside the EU. In practice, one will never get the work permit, if it is applied for when in Finland. Instead, an application has to be filed from one's country of origin. On the other hand, the application cannot be turned in if one does not have a guaranteed job waiting in Finland.
Last year a record number of people, nearly 23,000 in all, moved to Finland from abroad, while around 12,000 individuals left the country.
Most immigrants came from Sweden, Estonia, and Russia, several thousand from each of them.
There are about 122,000 foreigners living in Finland. In addition, there are several thousand people who originate from elsewhere, but who have since been granted Finnish citizenship.
Source: http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Issue+of+attracting+foreign+workers+shows+differences+among+political+parties+/1135225404657
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