Over 10% of Foreigners Considering Leaving Finland Due to 3-Month Employment Proposal

A total of 13 per cent of respondents in a recent OP Financial Group survey have considered leaving Finland due to the proposed three-month employment requirement in the Aliens Act.

The three-month employment requirement means that a person residing in Finland with a work permit would have three months to find new employment if their current employment ends. If they are ineligible to find a new job or another reason to stay in Finland, their work permit would be revoked, therefore they would be required to leave this country. 

The survey, conducted by Taloustutkimus and commissioned by OP Financial Group has revealed that a proposed amendment to the Aliens Act has sparked concerns among many foreign residents in Finland, Schengen.News reports. 

Based on the perspective of OP Financial Group, it is essential to increase labour immigration for the country’s competitiveness. 

Taloustutkimus’ survey conducted in September-October reveals that more than one in ten or 13 per cent of respondents have considered leaving Finland as a result of the proposed changes to the Aliens Act. 

This group is composed of young people aged 18 to 34, residents of large cities and persons who have lived in Finland for one to five years. 

The Head of Retail Banking at OP Financial Group, Harri Nummela, in a press release said that among those most concerned about the new changes to the Aliens Act are young professionals who have not lived in Finland for a long period. 

Immigration Becoming Increasingly Expert-Driven 
The survey of Taloustutkimus indicated that immigration is becoming increasingly expert-driven. Among the main reasons for moving to Finland are study and work. The survey also indicates that a large number of immigrants have higher education, while more than half have come to live in Finland for more than ten years.

However, specialists, middle management, senior and middle management, employees transferred within companies as well as those residing in Finland with a work-based residence for more than three years, are excluded from the proposal. 

The deadline for these groups, according to a report from Aamuset Kaupunkimedia, would be six months instead of three.

Source: https://schengen.news/over-10-of-foreigners-considering-leaving-finland-due-to-3-month-employment-proposal/