The happiest country in the world is looking for foreign labor

Although it is the happiest country in the world, Finland is finding it difficult to attract foreign workers to alleviate its demographic crisis and is facing a labor force shortage that is one of the most significant in Europe.

“It is widely accepted today that we need an impressive number of people,” Sakou Tichverainen, who is recruiting for Talented Solutions, told AFP “to help cover the costs of the aging generation.”

Although most western countries face an unstable demographic, few feel it as much as Finland.

This Nordic country already has 4 people over the age of 65 for every 10 people of working age and this ratio is going to increase to one for two by 2030, which puts it ahead of all countries in the world except Japan.

In accordance with Helsinki, this Nordic country of 5.5 million people will need a positive immigration balance of 20,000 to 30,000 people each year – twice as many as today – to maintain excellent public services and care for the elderly, while covering the impending pension deficit.

After years of inaction, businesses and the government “are now at the point where the scales will tilt and recognize the problem,” said Charles Mathis, according to the Athens News Agency.

Responsible for research on education and immigration at the Academy of Finland, is one of the experts consulted by the government program “Talent Boost”, which for four years aims to make the country more attractive in the world, thanks in part to a number of local programs labor recruitment.

Finland targets Spanish health professionals, Slovak metallurgists, IT specialists, and Russian, Indian or Filipino maritime experts.

“Problem of mentality”

On paper, Finland, its pioneer gender equality, is a dream destination with its functioning public services, low level of crime and inequality, and all this combined with an increased confidence in the authorities.

But in addition to its complex language and harsh climate, the Nordic country also suffers paradoxically from the fact that access to the labor market is often difficult for foreigners., which translates to the departure of many immigrants after a few months.

Despite years of experience in inventing digital products, Ahmed (his name has been changed) says that when he arrived in Finland, his research was in vain.

“It simply came to our notice then jobs“It’s just a problem of mentality,” said the 42-year-old Briton, who was offered jobs in Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and Germany during his research in Finland.

Eventually he decided to take the weekly route between Helsinki and Düsseldorf, where he found work.

As for the far right of the Finnish Party, it has gained considerable influence over the past ten years and now holds a five-seat seat in parliament, where it’s slowing down immigration issues as much as possible.

Facilitate the process

For Saku Tichverainen, the opening is improving, according to some indications.

“When staffing becomes so significant, we see companies looking for other solutions,” he said, citing the case of an expanding technology lab that managed to hire about 2,000 people within six months of changing its working language to English.

However, he adds, “a large number of Finnish companies and organizations are very attached to the requirement to use Finnish, and even with ease.”

Faced with a growing shortage of skilled workers from OECD countries, some Finnish start-ups have decided to work together to hire foreigners, explains Sean Ruden of Wolt’s catering business.

As for the mayor of Helsinki, Jan Vapaavouri, he mobilized large communication offices to improve the charm of his city and its reputation.

Although attracting bachelors is not a big problem, attracting couples and families is difficult because “spouses always have a huge problem finding a satisfying job,” he explains.

But the mayor is optimistic, hoping for immigration from Asia and the new professional priorities of the post-war era. coronavirus.

“Reliability, functionality, reliability, predictability”: Helsinki’s strengths are “values ​​that have become more important” with the pandemic, he said.

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