Union members approve work-based immigration

In September 2025, the union commis­sioned an open members’ panel survey for all members in working life. A total of 3,877 people joined up to share their opinions.

”Work-based immigra­tion is accep­table as long as Finnish working condi­tions are complied with”, is one of the state­ments the panel members were asked to evaluate. 87 per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the state­ment. Only five per cent strongly disagreed, and six per cent disagreed.

– Members accept workmates who come from abroad. However, union members have placed some condi­tions on this, says Timo Nevaranta, the Head of Public Affairs at the union.

– The main proviso is that Finnish terms of emplo­y­ment must be followed. If this is relaxed, the accep­ta­bi­lity of this pheno­menon will decline.

”Emplo­yers must be held more accoun­table for viola­ting the terms of emplo­y­ment of foreign workers”, was another state­ment for panelists to comment on. With this state­ment, 86 per cent agreed or strongly agreed. Only eight per cent either disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The Industrial Union demands legis­la­tion to curb workplace exploi­ta­tion and the grey economy. In addition, more resources are needed to enforce the laws. A key demand is the crimi­na­li­sa­tion of wage theft. Currently, failure to pay wages in accor­dance with the law and collec­tive agree­ments is not punis­hable under criminal law.

Nevaranta gives an example: someone who steals a lollipop worth 20 cents will get a fine. However, an employer who fails to pay hundreds or thousands of euros in wages will not face any penal­ties, they will just be made to pay the unpaid wages.

– In Finland, it is easy for compa­nies to get away with things. You have to be very unlucky to be held accountable.

– Lawma­kers and political parties need to wake up and give this issue the atten­tion it deserves. The time for tinke­ring is over, Nevaranta says.

No to unfair advantages

Disho­nest compa­nies gain a compe­ti­tive advan­tage by having work done in viola­tion of laws and collec­tive agreements.

– It is not the Ukrai­nians’ fault if they are paid in daily allowances. It is the emplo­yer’s respon­si­bi­lity, says Nevaranta.

Nevaranta wonders why employer organi­sa­tions are not more enthusiastic about combat­ting the grey economy and defen­ding their honest member compa­nies. This should not be somet­hing that only emplo­yees demand. There should be a united front.

The responses to the member panel survey also show that members are concerned about how work-based immigra­tion will affect working condi­tions and unemployment.

– Both of these are concerns that should be taken seriously. That is why it is impor­tant to adhere to the availa­bi­lity assess­ment, says Nevaranta.

The availa­bi­lity assess­ment aims to prevent the import of labour into sectors where there is unemplo­y­ment. The starting point is that compa­nies must hire emplo­yees from Finland or the EU and EEA. If labour cannot be found there, it is possible to hire from further afield.