1. DECENT WORK: DEVELOPING LABOUR MIGRATION WITH THE ESF ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR LABOUR MIGRATION
MATTO- Support Structure for Migration Programmes
INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS CONFERENCE
Tampere, Finland
Tapani Kojonsaari

2. RECENT HISTORY OF THE LABOUR MIGRATION IN FINLAND
: debate emerges, phenomenon is being recognized (reports, government platform 2003 etc.)
: planning and proposals for action (Immigration Programme 2006, re-organising ministries etc.)
: implementation of the initiatives (ESF development programme, Action Programme for Labour Migration etc.)
2012 → implementation of the planned activities, new proposals

3. NEED FOR REFORMATION IN THE EARLY 2000s
Rapidly ageing population
Especially challenging situation in the social- and healthcare sector
Lack of systematic recruitment procedures and services
More thorough guidance needed for employers as well as for foreign employees
Networks and cooperation between the actors involved
Extend to cover also the countries of origin
Competition for skillful workforce
Attractiveness of Finland
Public sector needs to be involved
Ethical sustainability

4. NATIONAL ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: FROM SEPARATE PROJECTS TO STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
Developing labour migration was chosen as one of the strategic themes of the ESF-period : a national ESF development programme for labour migration was established
Developing a national programme for guiding foreign employees
Creating a national strategy of attraction
Creating a programme of Finnish language and culture for foreign employees
Guiding employers on recruiting from abroad
Developing equal working environment together with labour market actors
Recognizing the needs to adjust legislation

5. NATIONAL ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: SUPPORT STRUCTURE MATTO
MATTO Support Structure for National ESF Development Programme (MATTO) was established to promote and develop
Good practices
Cooperation and networking
Trainings
Evaluation
Publications
etc.
 from ”a project jungle” to comprehensive development

6. ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR LABOUR MIGRATION
40 projects have been implemented since 2007 in different parts of Finland, and their development challenges have been
Recruitment and labour exchange
Adjustment of skills
Retention
Projects for integrating international students
Implementing bodies: regional state authorities (ELY-centres), educational and municipal organisations, employment agencies, regional development organisations etc.
Spreading the knowledge and know-how related to labour migration

7. ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR LABOUR MIGRATION 2007-2013
Preparations for labour migration and developing operations model
”Finnish model” for recruiting from abroad
ESF offers resources for experimenting and piloting
Appr. 300 professionals recruited (cooperation with EURES)
Emphasis on social- and healthcare sector
Learning from other (Nordic) countries
Ethical sustainability
Support after arrival
Lot of input for language training
Trainings in the country of origin (language, culture, working life)
Transferring ESF practices to EURES

8. ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR LABOUR MIGRATION 2007-2013
Know-how related to recruitment and support for the employers in recruiting process
Delivery of the information related to recruitment
Webpages (”yrityssuomi.fi” and local/regional solutions) and other guidance (e.g. guidebooks etc.)
Studies related to availability of the workforce
Support services for the employers recruiting from abroad
Talent matching
Taylor-made services for employers recruiting from abroad
Cooperation with the stakeholders promoting legal migration

9. ESF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR LABOUR MIGRATION 2007-2013
Dismounting information for different stakeholders and developing models for supporting employees
Consolidation of the networks and support system for the employees
Local / regional networks related to labour migration
Webpages (”workinfinland.fi” and local/regional solutions) and other guidance (e.g. guidebooks etc.)
Guidance for the employees with their own language
Cooperation with the stakeholders in the country of origin
Trainings in the country of origin (language, culture, working life)

10. CHALLENGES OF MULTICULTURAL RECRUITING PROCESS IN FINLAND
Finland’s attractiveness
”Finnish model” must be an attraction factor: decent work might not be enough
Thin tradition of multicultural recruiting
Experiences cumulate slowly but firmly
Stability and resources
Theme itself is recognised, but the structure is fragmented and it is based on several stakeholders

11. CHALLENGES OF MULTICULTURAL RECRUITING PROCESS IN FINLAND
Attitudes of employers and (potential) fellow workers
Lack of multicultural orientation schemes in working places
Lack of public support
Ongoing structural change and the mismatch of the skills offered and skills needed
Guidance systems are still not sufficient (though they are developing)
Large country with varying conditions challenge the unifying of the system