Overview

Asking the why can only be posed until the ’What, Who, Where, When and How’ have been addressed. It is a simple linear progress providing a very effective framework.

Immigration has been a notable feature of Finnish society since joining the European Union. For business, it has been an important driver for sustaining profitability and growth. However, the costs and challenges have been significant and only by asking ‘why’ will the conflict problems be resolved, particularly when it comes to Human Trafficking.

Materials Updates/News: 

Periodically, materials will be updated, or there may be news items worthy of attention related to this Unit. They will be notified here. If you come across any news/resources, e.g. journal/newspaper articles relevant to the content of this website, please let me know. I can be contacted via the email address below.

The issue of immigration and segregation (Links to Unit C4) often brings out activism in the academic community which is pre-disposed to a pro-immigration view. 

Immigration has become weaponised and this should have been expected when Finland joined NATO. It was not. Russia has been using the issue to send foreigners to Finland:

Yle. 1.7.2024. Over 200 university researchers sign petition opposing Finland's deportation bill.

It is highly likely that the vast majority of these academics were in favour of joining NATO. In contrast:

Yle.27.6.2024. Survey: Majority of Finns support proposed deportation law.

Given the membership of NATO, an internal challenge for Finland:

Viimaranta, H., et al. (2018). Russian-speakers in Finland: The amibiguities of a growing minority. REVUE D’ÉTUDES COMPARATIVES EST-OUEST 49(4): 95-128.

The decline in the traditional pub has been happening in urban centres in the UK for many years where the immigrant communities have expanded their presence:

Yle. 6.8.2016. Kontula moving on from budget boozing.

Already back in 2008 Helsingin Sanomat (a leading Finnish newspaper that used to have an English language online presence) was reporting on the challenges of immigration (these articles are no longer available). They raised questions:

HS. 29.9.2006. Immigrants in Helsinki gravitate to same municipal apartment houses.

HS. 2.12.2008. Mayor Jussi Pajunen concerned about growth in immigration.

HS. 11.1.2019. Attempting to avoid the problems of Europe's immigrant suburbs.

HS. 8.9.2009. DEBATE: “Time running out on immigrant integration” Heads of Security Police and Immigration Service warn that failure of assimilation into Finnish society lays the groundwork for radicalisation of immigrants.

Interestingly, Reuters were reporting: Reuters. (28.4.2022). Swedish PM says integration of immigrants has failed, fuelled gang crime. Can the same be said of Finland...

HS. 25.2.2010. Immigrants concentrated in rental apartment blocks in East Helsinki.

Yle used to report on the challenges but increasingly over recent times it has focussed on a pro-immigration/anti-racist perspective. 

Yle. 11.2.2018. Study: Helsinki bucks urban segregation trends.

Yle. 14.2.2014. Homelessness growing in Helsinki suburbs; immigrants hit hard.

Yle. 15.7.2016. New immigrants face difficulties finding housing.

Yle. 25.10.2023. Rising racism.

Nshom, E., and Croucher, S. (2017). Perceived threat and prejudice towards immigrants in Finland: A study among early. Middle and late Finnish adolescents. Journal of International and Intercultural Communication 10(4): 309-323.

The call for increased immigration continues by Yle, polling companies, academics and experts:

Yle. (27.4.2023). EVA survey: Majority of Finns favour loosening immigration laws.

What else is relentless? Human Trafficking… is this the cost of the free movement of peoples in the EU?

Viuhko, M. (2010). Human trafficking for sexual exploitation and organized procuring in Finland. European Journal of Criminology 7(1): p. 61–75.

Lacuna-Richman, C. (2021). The Seasonal Migration of Thai Berry Pickers in Finland: Non-wood Forest Products for Poverty Alleviation or Source of Imminent Conflict? In R. Singh., et al. (Eds.). Social-Ecological Diversity and Traditional Food Systems: Opportunities from the Biocultural World (p.91-105). London: CRC Press.

Yle. (2.5.2023). Police suspect human trafficking, forced labour in Finland’s construction industry.

Yle. (24.6.20249. Europol announce human trafficking action week that involved the EMPACT joint action days ‘Global Chain.’ Finland was involved… the human trafficking continues…

Yle. (28.11.2024). Europol announce arrests of human trafficking gang. Hawala brokers were used extensively to launder the proceeds. The Article had the subtitle - 'Following the Money.'

Interesting perspective from a left-wing academic questioning multiculturalism: Dr. Göran Adamson