Higher employment level for immigrants would save Helsinki millions
Jobless rate among foreigners is three times that of native population
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Society would come out EUR 58 million ahead each year if employment among immigrants were brought to the same level as that among the population at large. In addition to savings in social welfare costs, improved employment among foreign residents would also bring in more tax revenue.
The City of Helsinki would benefit to the tune of EUR 24 million, and the state would get a boost of EUR 34 million if the employment gap were eliminated.
The figures come from a recent survey by the Government Institute for Economic Research (VATT), which was commissioned by the City of Helsinki. The report adds credence to the view that more time and money need to be invested in promoting employment among immigrants.
Nearly one Helsinki resident in ten has a foreign background, and speaks something other than Finnish or Swedish at home. Both the total number and percentage of immigrants among the residents of Helsinki is constantly growing, and by 2025 one in four Helsinki residents are expected to be of an immigrant background.
The unemployment rate among immigrants in Helsinki is 17 per cent, while that of the whole population is six per cent. “One problem is the lack of language skills”, says Annika Forsander, manager of immigration affairs at the City of Helsinki.
Immigrants have a weak command of the intricacies of the Finnish labour market, and professional degrees from other countries are not necessarily recognised here.
In addition to monetary considerations, improving the employment situation of immigrants is seen as an important part of promoting integration into Finnish society, and preventing marginalisation. “The employment of the first generation also affects the integration of the second”, Forsander says.
Improving employment among those with a foreign background would also help prevent economic gaps from widening among different parts of the city. “Earning money gives immigrants more possibilities to move to middle class residential areas.”
“We know how employment can be improved. All we need now is more resources to do the practical work”, Forsander says.
She says that public employment offices would need to have more expertise in issues related to immigration. “Immigrants need personal, close career guidance”, she says.
According to Helsinki Deputy Mayor Tuula Haatainen (SDP), an immigrant going to an employment office sometimes has to wait three months for an appointment for personal counselling.
An immigrant willing to work sometimes has to wait as long as seven months before a job becomes available.
Helsinki has set aside EUR 2.5 million for language training for immigrants next year. An equivalent amount would be needed from the state to hire immigrants’ career guidance specialists for public employment offices.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 3.10.2008 - TODAY |
 Higher employment level for immigrants would save Helsinki millions |
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