Lively discussion on the Government migration policy programme

A consultation of the Government migration policy programme brought together almost a hundred representatives of organisations and other stakeholders on 31 October. The themes of the workshops focussed on the three main themes of the migration policy programme — labour migration, integration and good relations between people from different groups. The discussion called for a comprehensive approach to labour migration.

Consultations provide an opportunity for stakeholders to influence programme preparation

A broad range of stakeholders took part in the consultation of the Government migration policy programme. There were almost a hundred participants representing organisations, municipalities, businesses and other stakeholders at the House of Science and Letters on Tuesday.

The participants engaged in an active discussion on the three main themes of the programme — labour migration, integration and good relations between people from different groups.　 The event was opened by Jorma Vuorio, Director General of the Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior.

Successful labour migration calls for a comprehensive approach

Discussions in the workshops revealed many observations and views related to labour migration. During the final discussion of the event, there was a general consensus that labour migration should be seen as a whole, also considering the family’s chances of integrating into Finland.

Migration policy programme prepared in close collaboration with stakeholders

The Government decided on the preparation of the migration policy programme during the negotiations on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2018–2021. The programme aims to raise awareness of the Government’s migration policy which promotes labour migration that strengthens employment and public finances, improves the dependency ratio and enhances internationalisation of the economy.

A cross-sectoral working group led by the Ministry of the Interior has brought together representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Immigration Service. The ministerial working group on migration is the steering group for the related project.

The programme is scheduled to be submitted to the Government for approval in early 2018.

A recording of the event can be found here.

Inquiries:

Jorma Vuorio, Director General, Migration Department, tel. +358 295 488 600 [email protected]