Changing employers made easier for seasonal workers

The Finnish Immigration Service has introduced a new function in the service system to make it easier for seasonal workers to change employers while they are in Finland. The relevant amendment to the Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on Chargeable Services of the Finnish Immigration Service is based on an amendment to the Seasonal Workers Act. Both the amendment to the Seasonal Workers Act and the amendment to the Decree will enter into force on 17 June 2021.

The processing fees for all applications submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service are determined annually by Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on Chargeable Services of the Finnish Immigration Service. The Decree issued for this year will be amended by adding a new function to the service system which allows an employee to file an application for adding a new employer to his or her current seasonal work permit and for the related Finnish Immigration Service’s certificate of extending his or her right to work. A fee of EUR 65 will be charged for adding a new employer and for issuing the certificate, when the application is submitted electronically. If the application is filed in paper form, the fee will be EUR 165.

On application, the Finnish Immigration Service may add a new employer to a valid seasonal work permit if the employer agrees to the terms of employment and accommodation laid down in the Seasonal Workers Act.

The amendment to the Seasonal Workers Act is based on the policy set out in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin's Government, according to which seasonal workers will have better opportunities to change employers. The Government Programme also states that measures to prevent exploitation of foreign labour will be taken into consideration in the reform of labour migration.

Inquiries:
Kirta Sandström, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 604, kirta.sandstrom@intermin.fi (Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on Chargeable Services of the Finnish Immigration Service)
Olli Sorainen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 022, olli.sorainen@tem.fi (Seasonal Workers Act)