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A recent survey has revealed alarming trends regarding Finland’s ability to attract and retain international technology experts, with the country’s ongoing immigration debate emerging as a significant deterrent. The survey, conducted by the Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK) and the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland, found that a staggering 89% of foreign tech experts are concerned about the current discourse surrounding immigration.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 international experts working in Finland, paints a bleak picture of the country’s future as a hub for global talent. Only 52% of respondents would recommend Finland as a place to live and work, a figure that highlights growing disillusionment within the international community. Furthermore, 81% of those surveyed expressed little confidence that Finland will become a better place for immigrants in the next five years.
“The situation is unsustainable,” said Juhani Nokela, TEK’s Director of Public Affairs. “Finland is driving out the very people who are creating future economic growth here. It’s pointless for decision-makers to make fine speeches if the international experts living here see the reality as so chilling.”
The survey also shed light on the discrimination faced by international professionals in Finland. Over 40% of respondents reported experiencing discrimination during recruitment processes, with non-European experts from Africa and Asia being the most affected. The primary reasons cited for this discrimination were the lack of Finnish language skills and the devaluation of qualifications and work experience gained outside Finland.
“The competition for skilled labor is fierce, and Finland can’t afford to stand on the sidelines, viewing foreign talent with suspicion,” said Maria Jauhiainen, a lawyer for the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland. “The ability to attract and recruit international experts is key to our economic future.”
Once employed, many foreign experts find their situation improves, with 64% reporting that they are treated equally at work compared to native Finns. Additionally, 67% felt that they had integrated well into Finnish society, and the majority believed their current job was a good match for their skills.
However, challenges remain. Many international experts lack a solid understanding of workers’ rights in Finland, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Only about 20% of respondents considered their knowledge of workers’ rights to be good or very good. Additionally, 23% of those surveyed had experienced unemployment in the past 18 months, further highlighting the precariousness of their situation.
Nokela and Jauhiainen both emphasized the need for swift and decisive action to address these issues. They called for the relaxation of language requirements, the introduction of anonymous recruitment processes, and the provision of Finnish language education by employers as key steps to improve the integration of international experts.
“Attitudes need to change,” Jauhiainen said. “All companies and government branches need to take a hard look at what they’re doing to identify and remove barriers to recruiting international talent. Embracing diversity and easing language requirements are essential if Finland wants to remain competitive on the global stage.”
The survey’s findings serve as a wake-up call for Finland, signaling that without immediate and effective policy changes, the country risks losing the very talent it needs to fuel future innovation and economic growth.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
