Eighty Ethiopian workers dismissed by Attendo in Finland over counterfeit document concerns

Approximately 80 Ethiopian workers in Finland found their employment cut short before it even began, as the care company Attendo terminated the entire group via an email notification. Attendo raised suspicions that some of the Ethiopians may have acquired counterfeit documents, including diplomas and identification certificates. This situation has led to the possibility of deportation for Aida and her colleague Sarah if they cannot prove full-time employment in the care sector. They are about 25 years old and represent a group of Ethiopian nurses, though their names have been changed for anonymity due to their vulnerable status.

Recruitment initially appeared promising when Aida, Sarah, and dozens of others prepared to move to Finland to work as care assistants for Attendo. After signing three-year contracts in November 2023, they were set to start work in spring 2024. However, shocking news arrived in February 2024, informing them of their immediate dismissal.

The email from Attendo’s recruitment subsidiary, Silkkitie, did not provide reasons for the layoffs, with further clarification coming only a month later. It was revealed that Attendo faced challenges in the recruitment process and discovered that some applicants might have obtained fake documents. Legal experts note the issue stems from a failure to investigate individual cases, as Attendo decided to terminate all 80 contracts based on broader concerns.

In the aftermath, some of the dismissed Ethiopians are leaving Finland, seeking to migrate to other countries, while a few remain missing. This situation raises serious doubts about the recruitment practices and the impact on the lives of those involved.