News

The Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment conducts a survey to examine the views of the Partnership Platform users concerning the use and usefulness of the Platform and the need for it in future. The responses will be used in the development of the Partnership Platform and the kotoutuminen.fi online service as well as in the planning and development of communications and online communications for those involved in integration in 2024–2025.

In May, the number of unemployed foreign jobseekers totalled 41,510, which is 16 per cent of all unemployed jobseekers. The increase in the number of foreign unemployed jobseekers can be explained by the general growth in the number of foreigners in Finland.

The comprehensive reform of the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (Integration Act) will enter into force at the beginning of 2025 when the main responsibility for integration will be transferred from the state to municipalities. The purpose of the amendments is to increase immigrants’ own responsibility for their integration. The amendments to the Act were approved on 13 June 2024 and they will mainly enter into force on 1 January 2025.

In future, an employee working in Finland with a work-based residence permit would have three months to find a new job if the employment relationship ends. The conditions for residence would lapse and the employee would have to leave Finland if no new employment is found and there are no other grounds for residence. The government proposal on the three-month unemployment rule is in public consultation between 12 June and 16 August 2024.

Net migration will remain high in the coming years, according to the latest short-term Labour Market Forecast. This is reflected in the number of unemployed jobseekers. Since the growth in the number of people of working age largely depends on immigration, the number of unemployed foreign jobseekers is expected to continue to grow.

In the first quarter of 2024, more than 5,400 first integration plans were drawn up, which is a record since the measurement began. The employment rate of foreigners has continued to fall due to the downturn. The employment rate of foreigners is more cyclically sensitive than that of Finnish citizens.

Do you or your organization have a good practice of integration or reception of refugees to share with others? Do you want to tell potential partners about your integration-promoting activities? Participate in the Integration 2024 event as an exhibitor. Integration 2024 will take place on 14–15 November 2024 in Turku.

The new Integration Act will enter into force on 1 January 2025, when the main responsibility for integration will be transferred to municipalities. On 4 April 2024, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal based on the Government Programme for amendments to the new Integration Act and related acts (reform of the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration, KOTO24). According to the proposed amendment, the imputed reimbursement period for municipalities and wellbeing services counties would be shortened.

The Integration 2024 event is searching for a photo exhibition dealing with integration or the reception of refugees or a theme closely related to these topics through an open call. The photo exhibition application is open from 3 to 21 April 2024.

The Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration supports the implementation of the revised Integration Act (Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration) and work to promote integration by producing materials and information on the comprehensive reform of the Act. A new home page KOTO24 has been set up on the integration.fi website. On the site, you can find news, events and materials related to the comprehensive reform of the Integration Act. During 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will provide nationwide support for those involved in integration work in preparing for the reform in cooperation with the KEHA Centre and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities.

The number of unemployed foreign jobseekers is increasing. The growth is explained by the Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection registering as customers of employment services and the increasing number of foreign nationals in Finland.

The action plan for prevention of labour exploitation includes legislative reforms, increased cooperation and exchange of information between the authorities, and investments in advisory services to raise awareness of the problem at different stages. Several measures aim to increase cooperation and the exchange of information between authorities.

The comprehensive review 2023 provides an overview of the current state of integration in Finland. The publication consists of two parts, the first of which describes changes in the state of integration compared with the situation four years ago based on indicator data. The second part consists of research articles.

Organising multilingual civic orientation cost-effectively requires cooperation between municipalities as well as cross-regional and national coordination. Orientation organised remotely or as hybrid events could help immigrants living in sparsely populated areas to participate in the instruction. A report commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in May 2023 includes recommendations on how to implement the orientation in a high-quality and uniform manner across Finland.

The Integration 2024 event will take place this year, i.e. 14–15 November 2024 in Turku. Now you have the opportunity to participate in the planning of the event with a program proposal! This year, program planning is open to everyone interested in Integration event planning. The program planning team of the event compiles the program based on the proposals received. Program proposals must be submitted no later than February 18, 2024.

According to a recent MoniSuomi study of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), immigrants on average are doing well in Finland. Immigrants’ experiences of inclusion and everyday safety were found to be reasonably strong, but some feel lonely and discriminated against.

According to a recent report, Ukrainians receiving temporary protection have been well received in Finland. Language skills play a key role in employment.

For how many immigrants an integration plan was made last year? In which languages is basic information about Finland distributed to those arriving here? What are the average costs per customer per year of integration training organised as labour market training? 

The planning of the Integration 2024 event is about to start. First, the application for the planning groups of the event will be opened. The Integration 2024 has a new programme structure and planning teams or area coordinators for special theme areas are not looked for this time, but the event has enough tasks for many people. The event will take place in Turku, Logomo on 14–15 November 2024.

The Government has proposed amendments to the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (Integration Act), which will enter into force on 1 January 2025. The aim is that the changes will strengthen general government finances, increase immigrants’ own responsibility for integration and improve the position immigrant mothers. Comments on the Government’s proposed amendments will be accepted until 23 October 2023.