At the top of the "happiest countries in the world", Finland, however, struggles to attract foreign workers to overcome its demographic crisis, and finds itself confronted with one of the most important labor shortages in Europe.
À découvrirRead also work: shortages are multiplying in the United States and the United Kingdom
"It is widely recognized today that we need an impressive number of people," said Saku Tihveräinen, recruiter at the Talented Solutions agency, "to help cover the costs of the aging generation»».If most Western countries face a shocking demography, few of them feel the effects as much as Finland.
The Nordic country already has 4 seniors over 65 years old for 10 people of working age, and this ratio must climb to one for two by 2030, which places it in front of all the countries of the world except Japan.According to Helsinki, the Nordic country of 5.5 million inhabitants will need a positive migratory balance of 20.000 at 30.000 people each year - double today - to maintain its public services and geriatric care at levels of excellence, while filling the imminent pension deficit.
After years of inertia, companies and the government "are now at a tipping point and recognize the problem," said Charles Mathies.Responsible for education and migration research at the Academy of Finland, he is one of the experts consulted by the government program "Talent Boost" which has been aiming for four years to make the country more attractive in the world, partlythanks to a series of local recruitment programs.
Among the targeted workers are Spanish health professionals, Slovak metallurgists, IT experts or even Russian, Indian or Philippine maritime experts.
To see too-COVID-19: the discreet success of Finland against the virus
"Mentality problem"
On paper, Finland, a pioneer of gender equality, makes you dream with its efficient public services, its low level of crime and inequality, all crowned with high confidence in the authorities.But in addition to its complicated language and its harsh climate, the Nordic country also paradoxically suffers from an often difficult access to the labor market for foreigners, which results in a large share of departures after a few months.
Despite several years of experience in the sector carrying the design of digital products upon arrival in Finland for family reasons, Ahmed (modified first name), says that his research has remained in vain."There has never been a shortage of jobs, just a problem of mentality," said the 42-year-old Briton, who, during his research in Finland, received offers in Norway, Qatar, in the United Kingdomand in Germany.
He finally decided to shuttle every week between Helsinki and Düsseldorf, where he found work.As for the extreme right of the Finnish party, it has considerably gained influence for ten years and now occupies one in five sieges in Parliament, where it brakes as much as possible on immigration issues.
Facilitate the process
For Saku Tihveräinen, some signs show that the opening improves."When the lack of staff becomes so important, we see companies looking for other solutions," he said, citing the case of an expanding technological factory that has managed to hire about 2.000 people in six months after changing his working language for English.
And yet, he adds, "a large number of Finnish companies and organizations are very attached to the use of Finnish, and a very fluid Finnish".Faced with the largest shortage of skilled workers from OECD countries, some Finnish start-ups have decided to join forces to recruit foreigners, explains Shaun Rudden of the WOLT meal delivery company.
As for the mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori, he mobilized large communication firms to improve the attractiveness and notoriety of his city.If bringing in singles does not pose too much problem, attracting couples and families is difficult because "spouses always have huge problems to find a suitable job," he explains.
Reading as many companies that are desperately looking for labor
But the councilor displays its optimism, carrying its hopes towards Asian immigration and the new professional post-coronavirus priorities."Being sure, functional, reliable, predictable": Helsinki's forces are "values that have gained importance" with the pandemic, he judges.
See also - Finland elects the youngest Prime Minister in its history (10/12/2019)
