Companies more willing than before to hire immigrants
Uusimaa Regional Council examines labour shortage in Helsinki region
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Companies in the Helsinki region are more willing than before to hire immigrants. Nearly half of companies in the area said that they expect their need for labour to grow during the next two years. Demand is especially increasing for skilled labour.
A joint study by he Uusimaa Regional Council and the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce involved interviews with representatives of 200 companies of various sizes operating in the area. The survey was the first in which attitudes toward hiring more immigrants was asked.
Immigrants were most eagerly desired in medium-sized companies, and in transport.
Nearly all companies taking part in the study were willing to offer immigrants permanent positions. Currently four out of five immigrant employees hold permanent jobs.
Advantages seen by entrepreneurs in a larger number of immigrants in the work force include language skills, a more international and multicultural character, and the simple increased availability of labour. Problems mentioned in the hiring of immigrants include prejudices of co-workers and customers.
In the Helsinki region, the need for labour is growing in all sectors except in companies producing services for private households. The need is especially great in construction and services for business. There is an actual shortage in customer service and production.
Seppo Laakso, who conducted the survey, sees a "very big change coming" in corporate attitudes toward immigrants.
Juhani Kujala, CEO of Profocus Ltd, says that companies are learning the hard way about the need for immigrant labour. "Companies have to change."
However, he fears that the Finnish climate, high taxation, and racist attitudes might make Finland less attractive for foreigners.
"Other EU countries have the same problems, but they - France or Italy, for instance - have better conditions and more experience."
The Helsinki Chamber of Commerce estimated last year that if nothing is done, the shortage of labour would grow to 130,000 people by 2015. The shortage is being caused by the mass exodus of members of the postwar baby boom generation into retirement.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 19.9.2006 - TODAY |
 Companies more willing than before to hire immigrants |
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