Fears tighter Finnish immigration laws could deter IT talent

Funny how suddenly more articles on Finland:

Business and industry leaders fear that Finland’s centre-right government’s stiffened resolve to reduce the inflow of immigrants and tighten work visa requirements will invariably hurt the economy and Finland’s reputation as a Nordic hub for technology and innovation.   

Finland will continue to struggle to attract international IT talent against the backdrop of hostile anti-immigration policies, according to a labour market stability survey conducted jointly by the Union of Academic Engineers and Architects (AEA/Tekniikan Akateemisten Liitto) and the Union of Professional Engineers (Insinööriliitto).  

The survey found that 45% of technology and engineering professionals currently resident and working in Finland would have difficulty recommending the Nordic country as a welcoming destination for foreign talent to move to. Just 15% of respondents said they would recommend Finland as a worthwhile career move.   

The survey results coincide with data that reveals foreign inventors are playing a greater role in contributing to the innovation output of Finnish companies and research institutes. Data from 2023 showed that foreign inventors partnered in some 60% of patents sought by Finnish institutions and companies in that year. 

“This situation is unsustainable. Finland is driving the very people who can create future innovation and economic growth out of the country. It’s pointless for decision-makers to talk about improving recruitment conditions in the labour market if the reality for attracting foreign talent to the country is uninviting,” said Juhani Nokela, director of public affairs at the AEA.

Finland’s leading employer federations have opened a broad dialogue with key government departments to explore a range of innovative solutions to bolster the ability of public and private sector enterprises in Finland to more easily recruit IT talent from abroad, and in particular from non-European Union (EU) countries.  

Among the solutions presented by employer groups is a proposal that English replace Finnish as the primary working language in export-led industries. Business associations, led by Finland’s Chemical Industry Federation(CIF/Kemianteollisuus), are advocating the use of the English language as a tool to boost the country’s international competitiveness.   

Solutions grounded on a more pliable work-based migration policy combined with relaxing the strict requirement for Finnish or Swedish language skills would alleviate existing labour shortages, said Anni Siltanen, the CIF’s chief advisor on skills and competence.  

“If Finland really wants to attract the best possible talent it must find ways to do just that and not put limits on the number of foreign job applicants,” said Siltanen.  

Source: Fears tighter Finnish immigration laws could deter IT talent