Finnish government cuts €58 million from immigrant integration funding while revising legislation

The Finnish government is set to cut €58 million from immigrant integration funding, leaving a total of €442 million allocated for this purpose in the budget. Concurrently, the integration legislation is being revised to emphasize the responsibility of immigrants for their own integration.

Jani Mäkelä, the chairman of the Finns Party’s parliamentary group, expressed doubts about the efficiency of integration compensation during the A-Talk show. He suggested that public administration projects often seem to employ well-paid officials to manage initiatives that ultimately yield little result.

Previously, Finance Minister Riikka Purra also criticized the integration funding on social media, suggesting that it was going “down the drain.” In response to Mäkelä’s comments, Sonja Hämäläinen, Director of Immigration at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, pointed out that research conducted in Finland indicates that integration services have a significant positive impact, particularly on employment. She noted, “Those investments return as employment.”

Veronika Honkasalo, a member of the Left Alliance, highlighted that studies from organizations such as the OECD have shown that investments in integration are worthwhile. She accused Mäkelä of lacking factual support for his claims, stating, “I hope Jani Mäkelä realizes that we can disagree on issues but that a factual basis is necessary for arguments.”

As the government reduces funding for immigrant integration and modifies the laws governing it, questions arise about the implications of placing greater responsibility on immigrants for their integration into Finnish society. Further details can be found in the full A-Talk episode from Thursday, September 19, available on Yle Areena.