Government calls for more immigrants

print this

The government would like the number of immigrants in Finland to grow significantly. Immigrants will be needed in the labour force once Finland's population begins to age, as the country will otherwise face a labour shortage.
      The unambiguously positive view regarding immigration is included in a report on the future of Finland, which was approved by the government on Thursday. The report discusses trends in Finland's population structure, and the consequences of the changes.
      The report maintains that immigration will not solve the basic problems in the country's age structure, but it is one way to secure a sufficient amount of labour.
      However, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen admitted that current attitudes among citizens will not allow for any rapid changes in the current situation. He remarked that popular support for the idea of taking in more immigrants must first be won.
     
According to the Prime Minister, the government's immigration policy also includes trying to attract more foreign university students to the country, and to offer them incentives to remain in Finland after graduation.
      At present, only one in ten foreign students stay in Finland after their studies are finished.
      A positive attitude towards immigration is also familiar from last week's report on the effects of globalisation. The globalisation report included the goal that there would by 12,000 foreign students in Finland in 2008, compared with the current 8,000.
      Vanhanen's cabinet is much more bold in its immigration views than the second government of Paavo Lipponen was in its report on the future three years ago. At the time, the government only recommended that the employment prospects of foreigners who are already in Finland be improved.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Prime Minister and President disagree on globalisation policy 10.11.2004)
  Estonian immigrants are better off in Finland than those from Russia

Helsingin Sanomat