The technology sector in Finland is strongly opposing new labor market-based anti-immigration legislation that could hinder efforts to attract foreign IT talent and enhance the country’s international reputation. The proposed laws, part of the government’s Labor Market Reform Plan, include stricter work visa requirements and language tests, making it more challenging for non-European Union citizens to find jobs in Finland. The legislation would also require foreign IT specialists to leave the country if they are unemployed for more than six months.
These changes are raising concerns among IT organizations and tech startup groups, who believe it will put Finnish companies at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting talent from outside Finland. The stricter immigration laws could also impact non-EU nationals already living in Finland, including asylum seekers, as the government tightens conditions for permanent residency permits.
Additionally, the reforms aim to integrate immigrants more quickly into Finnish society through language study and cultural appreciation courses. With rising unemployment and a larger pool of available IT skills, the Finnish government plans to hold a public hearing to address concerns and explain the impact of the proposed legislation on the economy.