Migrants reject claims of welfare dependency in Finland: “We are not lazy”

Migrants and community workers in Oulu, northern Finland, have criticised recent proposals to tie social benefits to mandatory work, arguing that many newcomers already contribute through extensive volunteer efforts.

The debate resurfaced after finance minister Riikka Purra referenced Denmark’s model, where migrants must perform work in exchange for welfare support. But in Oulu, the response has been sharp.

“We have many highly active migrants who want to integrate into society, for example through volunteering,” said Noora Dahmane, communications director at Vuolle Setlementti, a local NGO promoting social inclusion. The organisation runs a three-year project focused on integration through volunteer work, involving both Finns and migrants in activities like baking, cultural exchanges, and event planning.

Gaukhar Nukizhanova, who moved to Finland from Kazakhstan in 2018, dismissed claims of welfare abuse. “It’s easy for those who aren’t migrants themselves to make such statements,” she said. Describing migration as one of life’s greatest stressors—comparable to divorce or losing a loved one—she emphasised that volunteer work helps break down local prejudices. “People see that migrants want to be active.”

Angelique Tuomivaara, originally from the Philippines, now works for Vuolle Setlementti after starting as a volunteer. She rejected the stereotype of migrants seeking an easy life on benefits. “We are not lazy. I love my work and do it wholeheartedly,” she said, noting that over 100 volunteers—including entire families—participate in the project.

Tuomivaara stressed that volunteering addresses key barriers to employment, such as language skills and networking. “It’s a way to learn Finnish, meet people, and show what you can really do,” she said, urging society to give migrants a chance to prove their contributions.