The four-party alliance government is assessing the practicality of a points-based labour migration system in the country.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment prepared a report comparing similar models in different countries such as Canada and Australia, said the ministry in a press release on Monday referring to the report.
According to the report, a points-based system has been implemented and is being used in different ways in different countries and introducing such a system in Finland would require the setting of a clear objective.
Finland’s current model of work-based immigration is based on employers’ demand for labour, which means that entering Finland requires an employment relationship or an offer of employment.
In addition, the applicant must meet certain criteria set by the government including a minimum income requirement. The conditions for a permit vary depending on whether the person is coming to Finland as a specialist or blue collar worker.
“I’m pleased about this report that compares the different points-based immigration models internationally. It offers information to policy makers about the available options to develop work-based immigration in the future,” said Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen, who commissioned the study in the press release.
The points-based immigration system means that applicants are assessed using pre-defined criteria, such as education, language skills, work experience and age.
The key difference between the models in various countries is whether the model is based on a competition between the applicants (ranking) or on their eligibility (threshold).
Compared with the current Finnish model, in countries with the scoring model, the government plays a large role in the selection of applicants.
The two models described above are used for different objectives: for example, scoring can be used to offer a fast track to a permanent residence permit or to grant experts with desirable qualifications a residence permit for job-seeking purposes.
The report said that a points-based system could also be utilised in Finland by developing the current model for work-based migration.
This would require that an objective is set for the scoring system and that the scoring criteria and the way in which they are assessed in practice are clearly defined.
Scoring would likely lead to more bureaucracy for migrants and increase the administrative burden of the authorities and employers.
In order for additional investments in a points-based system to be worthwhile, the benefits to be achieved with the system should therefore be clear.
- Finland
- Points-based
- Labour migration
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
