When we think of the exploitation of immigrants in Finland, the story of the international technology expert is perhaps understandably not among the extreme examples most covered.
In the recent International Technology Expert survey, the international members of TEK and Insinööriliitto reported being denied work because of their last name, because their experience was gained abroad, or because jobs go to the friends of family members. Many reported being paid less than Finns, having limited career advancement, or having higher expectations placed on them for the same rewards.
Perhaps by the strictest definition, those matters do not count as exploitation. For someone who has put their time and commitment to Finland though, they are matters that feel like it, even before we get to the more serious cases faced especially by those unable to find work in their own field.
Preventing labour exploitation is a core aim of trade unions. Unfortunately, Finland is moving in a direction that makes that work harder to achieve. Repeated efforts to weaken trade unions, law changes such as the 3-/6-month rule increasing the vulnerability of international experts and a poor job market all make the risk of exploitation higher than ever.
What then can be done? For simplicity, let’s think of the “3 S’s”.
Support is what we already do the most. Services such as legal support and salary guidance help educate people on their rights and give them help when those rights are infringed upon. To improve, we must increase our representativeness amongst the international workforce.
Sanctions are a key part of the equation for when severe exploitation occurs. More pressure is needed, however, to also stop the everyday discrimination faced by international experts. For example, current equality laws do little to prevent the undervaluing or ignoring of foreign gained experience or artificially high language requirements.
Security is perhaps the most important of the three. Information and support may be useless if there is a choice of exploitation or deportation. That is why permanent residence must be readily available as an incentive to thrive in Finland, not as a reward for doing so for many years. Give time to find suitable work, or to take risks for the betterment of not just your own career but of the workforce as a whole.
A supported, secure workforce with sufficient sanctions for exploitation needs to be the direction of Finland’s future. As a union, we must continue pushing for that.
Writer works at TEK as a Project Manager for International Experts
Instagram: @tekforall
