Long unemployment periods among work-based residence permit holders in Finland, including specialists

By admin On Aug 31, 2024

A recent report from Dataroom has revealed that while unemployment among individuals residing in Finland on work-based residence permits is relatively rare, those who do experience job loss often face extended periods without employment. This includes highly skilled professionals, who are among those affected.

Between 2017 and 2021, an average of 20,000 employees lived in Finland on temporary work-based residence permits, with this number growing from 17,000 to 27,000 over the five-year period.

According to the report, around 10% of these workers have their employment contracts end each year without immediately transitioning to a new job. However, only about 2-3% register as unemployed jobseekers.

“Experiencing unemployment among work-based residents is uncommon. However, for those who do, the periods of unemployment tend to last longer, often exceeding three to six months,” said Juho Alasalmi, a senior researcher at Dataroom.

Impact on Upcoming Legislation

The report’s findings are being considered as the Finnish government prepares to introduce a new policy that would limit the job-seeking period for unemployed non-EU workers residing in Finland on work permits to three or six months, depending on their profession and how long they have lived in the country.

Unemployment Affects All Job Categories, Including Specialists

The report also highlights that unemployment impacts individuals across all professional categories. Those earning less than €3,000 per month are the most likely to register as unemployed jobseekers, but unemployment is present even among production workers, service employees, and specialists.

Specialists, experts, and managers are more likely than other groups to end their unemployment by moving abroad, starting studies, or otherwise exiting the workforce, and they are less likely to register as unemployed. However, when unemployment is defined as the period between the end of one job and the start of another, these professionals often experience longer unemployment periods compared to other groups.

The findings underscore the challenges faced by even highly skilled workers in maintaining employment stability in Finland, and they provide critical insights for shaping future immigration and employment policies.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi