Since June 11, new rules that will affect over 51,000 working migrants will come into force, making it easier for these workers to continue their activity in Finland.
According to a press release published by the Finnish Immigration Service, the new rules will allow people whose employment ended earlier than expected to stay in the country between three and six months to find a new job, Schengen.News reports.
Those working with a residence permit on the basis of work mainly have a three-month protection period to find a new job. Exceptions to the three-month unemployment rule include persons employed as specialists and those who have been residing in Finland with a permit on the basis of work for over two years.
As the authorities explain, this category of workers will have six months to find a new job, and it is important for their residence permit to be valid during this period of unemployment.
Moreover, the permit could be withdrawn if the individual cannot secure a new job by the end of the three-month period and does not have any other reason to stay in Finland. On the other hand, if the migrant worker has other reasons why he or she could stay in Finland, they can apply for a new residence permit.
Labour Shortages Prompt Finland to Facilitate Rules for Working Migrants Significantly
The new measures are an effort of the Finnish government to regulate labour migration and also fill in market gaps, as Finland, like many other EU countries, is dealing with labour shortages. The new rules follow an EU directive that will be implemented by other member states starting next year.
Starting back in April 2023, the prevailing practice of the Finnish Immigration Service has been that the residence permit will not be withdrawn due to unemployment within the three-month protection period.
The same pointed out that the law has not previously specified how long the migrant worker must have been unemployed for the permit to be withdrawn.
Finnish Government to Become More Firm on Employers of Migrant Workers
While the rules will become less restrictive for migrant workers, the authorities plan to become more stringent towards employers, who now are required to inform the Immigration Service if their employee’s contract is ended earlier than expected and also regarding the status of their residence permit.
Prior to June 11, employers only had to inform the Immigration Services when they hired a migrant worker. Failing to comply with these rules could result in sanctions for employers.
The employer must submit a notification of termination of employment in the Enter Finland service within 14 days. This change makes the supervision of permits on the basis of work more effective and speeds up the removal from the country of persons who no longer meet the permit conditions.
The Finnish government has also facilitated the rules for migrant workers who were granted a permit for their employment. After being unemployed, they will be eligible to apply for work in the country’s most jeopardised sectors due to labour shortages.