Eastern Finland seeks skilled labour from St. Petersburg

print this

The enterprises of Estern Finland that have been operating under threat of labour shortages are testing a new means to solve their problems: multi-skilled Russian craftsmen.
      A new public service has been launched to encourage labour mobility between Finland and Russia. The service is backed by a joint pilot project of the Employment and Economic Development (T&E) Centres of South Savo and South-eastern Finland.
      The first Russian men to use this public employment service - a plater welder and two precast concrete workers - have already started working for companies in Mäntyharju near Lahti.
      Initially the direction of the movement of labour was from Russia to Finland, but the aim is to enhance legal two-way mobility so that even Finns could find jobs in Russian companies.
     
Maksim Hypppönen, 29, originally a skilled forest machine operator, has signed a one-year contract with Finnish sawmill manufacturer Veisto Oy in Mäntyharju, and is being trained to become a plate welder. Hyppönen’s family originates from Finland, and he has a fair command of Finnish. According to Managing Director Rauno Suoniemi, however, the most significant selection criterion was occupational skill, not a command of Finnish.
      "We are not looking for cheap labour. The terms of employment as well as the wage conditions are the same as those of the Finnish workers", stresses Suoniemi. One long-term aim is to have a skilled worker in St. Petersburg in the future, to do the maintenance and installing of the company's machines sold to Russia. Hence, the company would save on interpreting and travelling expenses.
     
Taru Linna of the South Savo T&E centre is in charge of the project. She says that the purpose of the venture is to overcome Finns' prejudices and promote legal and public mobility of labour.
      Restrictive factors include the lack of language skills as well as the required work- and residence permits. Furthermore, there are not too many skilled workers who are willing to come, either.
      On the other hand, Finns' willingness to work in Russia is often held back by the lower wages and less attractive working conditions in Russia.
     
According to Lena Hakkarainen of the South-eastern T&E centre, another restrictive factor is that there are many private employment agencies in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and vacancies are not reported to the employment administration at all.
      The cooperation within the labour mobility project is now being tested with the employment administration of the St. Petersburg region and its 19 employment agencies. According to Hakkarainen, labour shortages can already be seen in the metal sector, and there is also demand for lorry drivers in the Russian road transport.
      "The higher wage level and a love of adventure are among the motives of the Russians who have the courage to go abroad for work", explains Lena Hakkarainen.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Number of foreign construction workers in Finland soon over 10,000 (25.5.2004)

Links:
  T&E Employment and Economic Development Centres

Helsingin Sanomat