Finnish Companies Would Benefit From Foreign Workers, Study Reveals

Foreign workers would give a hard push to the Finnish industrial companies, a new study has revealed.

According to the study published by the Finnish Institute of Economic Research ETLA, by hiring foreign employees, Finnish companies promote growth in total exports, Schengen.News reports.

However, the report also reveals that the number of employees with an immigrant background in Finland has yet to increase, at least to reach the level of Western countries, indicating that Finland has more work to do regarding this issue.

Foreign Employment Linked to Growth of Total Exports

The number of immigrants in Finland has gradually increased since the 1990s, representing 6.7 per cent of the population by 2023.

The study has revealed that hiring a foreign worker impacts a company’s exports, boosting them significantly and also maintaining this positive outcome for longer periods.

Additionally, the number of export products in companies can increase thanks to foreign workers, with the Finnish companies becoming more open to exploring the worker’s home country.

The results suggest that measures to promote the employment of immigrants, especially in export-oriented sectors, can have positive effects on business performance and international trade. Foreign workers play an important role in creating international trade connections, for example with their countries of origin. 

Terhi Maczulskij, Research Manager at Etla

However, the study has found that the number of foreign workers in Finland remains low due to discrimination based on ethnic background in recruitment, a challenge that Maczulskij agrees needs to be combated.

Finland Continues Adopting Policies That Are Unfavourable for Foreigners

In recent years the Finnish authorities have been considering tightening rules for foreigners, especially those who want to obtain permanent residence permits. The initiative to raise residence permit requirements for foreigners in Finland is a result of a lack of willingness to integrate into Finnish society.

The aim of the government programme is to encourage immigrants to follow the rules of Finnish society and to work and study the language. Successful integration would be a prerequisite for a permanent residence permit. 

Mari Rantanen, Interior Minister

The new measure includes certain criteria for permanent residence permit candidates including here an annual income cap, proof of their education and language skills. In addition, the new measure makes it mandatory for candidates to have six years of continuous residence in Finland in order to be considered eligible for permanent residency.

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