By
- Gerard O’Dwyer
Released: 07 Dec 2023 11:15
Finland’s innovation sector has been deeply worried about the conservative government’s immigration-based labour market propositions, threatening business’ ability to easily hire foreign talents.
Industry leaders are expressing their concerns that the government’s anti-immigration policies have the potential to discourage foreign talent from pursuing career opportunities in Finland. It is feared that the restrictive labour market policies will also hinder the hiring of top international talent across all continents by IT companies.
Formed in June 2023, Orpo’s coalition government includes the Finns Party, an ultra-right-wing organization. The party secured the second highest popular vote in the country’s April 2023 parliamentary elections, behind Orpo’s national alliance (Kansallinen Kokoomus).
Key export sectors of the Finnish economy, including technology and engineering, are concerned that the restrictive labour market policies and immigration-linked legislation set to be introduced in 2024 could negatively impact their ability to hire foreign talent needed to grow their operations.
The Finnish government is considering the attachment of proficiency tests in the Finnish and Swedish languages to work visa applications. Consequently, the Orpo government aims to provide capital funding for ”domestic services” to deliver expert skills needed by businesses from a larger pool of home-grown IT talent.
Unfortunately, we have ministers in our government undoing all the excellent work achieved through the years to raise Finland’s worldwide image. » …
Read More
