Number of available jobs plummets in Helsinki region

Thousands of jobs still available for those who want them

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The number of job vacancies plummeted in the Helsinki region in December.
     At the beginning of the month there were nearly 20,000 situations vacant in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. At the end of the month this had gone down to slightly over 8,000.
     
The figures emerge from statistics from the Helsinki Employment and Economic Development Office. The numbers do not give a full picture, however, because jobs that were vacant at the beginning of the month do not necessarily appear in the figures at the end of the month, even if the job has not been filled.
     However, they can be seen in the overall statistics, which include all vacant jobs over a month.
     
There is still plenty of work available in the Helsinki region. In late December there were more than 6,300 vacant jobs in Helsinki.
     “It has been comforting to know that there are amazingly good jobs available”, says employment advisor Pirjo Karjalainen of the Kamppi Employment and Economic Development Office.
     There is a shortage of cleaners, telemarketers, taxi drivers, and warehouse assistants. Fast food chains are also hiring people constantly. McDonalds says that there are more applications now than before.
     “The availability of people has increased. Employees are willing to work more shifts, and not just evenings”, says Heli Ryhänen, head of communications at McDonalds.
     However, at the Varamiespalvelu temp agency there has been no dramatic growth in the number of applicants in the Helsinki region.
     
At the Service Union United (PAM), the claim that there would have been 20,000 available jobs in early December has raised some doubts.
     “The number of available jobs is often exaggerated, because they are not full time jobs, on which people could live”, says Seija Rouhiainen of PAM.
     “In retail sales, pay can be on commission. If you aren’t a good salesperson, you won’t make money, either. Our members have been left with wages of less than EUR 3.00 an hour in this kind of work”, Rouhiainen continues.
     
There were more than 30,000 unemployed people in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa in December.
     In Helsinki those over 50 comprised the largest group of unemployed. Nearly 6,500 in the age group were without work.
     There were less than 3,000 unemployed immigrants in Helsinki at the time.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Government to borrow billions to avert mass unemployment (26.1.2008)
  Smoking ruins behind, thick mists ahead as the economy enters a new year (4.1.2009)

Helsingin Sanomat