Finland: Discrimination in Job Opportunities Among Immigrant Groups

The highest rates are found among Burmese, Iraqis, Afghans, Sudanis, and Somalis who arrived as refugees.

Sudani, Sumali, Iraqi, and Afghan unemployment rate between 51 and 61%.
Burmese mark the highest unemployment rate, as it hits 75%.
While significant variation regards other nationalities including Indian, German, Dutch, and Nepalese who mark 7%.
Kenyan immigrants' unemployment marks the lowest rate 4%.

The rate of Refugees top the list of those without jobs, like the case for Somalis, Iraqis, and Afghans.

That they ended up in Finland, in many cases, was a matter of chance and finding a way into the job market can take years.

Annika Forsander, Director of Immigration Affairs for the City of Helsinki (Capital of Finland), is especially critical of employer discrimination against Somalis in the Finnish capital.

"Discrimination is clearly the big reason why Somalis have not been able to enter the job market. Of those who have been here 15 to 20 years, half have completed degrees in Finland. Not even that helps," says Forsander.

Language skills are often used as an excuse by employers to turn down foreign job applicants.

"If someone has been able to complete a degree using Finnish, it is hard to accuse him or her of lacking language skills," Forsander points out.
Unemployment among native, ethnic Finns is 8.7%. It approaches the rate of Indian, German, Dutch, and Nepalese immigrants (7%).

According to the Director of Immigration Affairs in Helsinki, foreigners in this category have usually moved to Finland for jobs. 

"For example, among the Indians there are many who come to work in the IT sector, and also many entrepreneurs," Forsander explains.

Unemployment among Finland's largest foreign community, Russians, is around 28%.

Because of difficulties in finding a job, resident foreigners often start their own business. The most entrepreneurial group is Turks.

One third of residents of Turkish origin run their own businesses. Among native Finns, that figure is only 10%.