National Coalition Party proposes immigration policy reforms in Finland

The National Coalition Party (Kokoomus) parliamentary group has released a new immigration policy program proposing significant changes to the status and benefits of immigrants in Finland. The plan aims to incentivize integration and employment by linking social security rights to work history.

Key proposals include restructuring unemployment benefits so that eligibility is earned through employment, with benefit amounts tiered based on the duration of work performed in Finland. The party also seeks to tighten pension requirements, suggesting that the right to guaranteed and national pensions should be adjusted based on the length of residency, moving away from the current three-year threshold.

Additionally, the program suggests limiting free interpretation services to two years after arrival and implementing language skill assessments for children at three-year-old health clinics. To support businesses, the party advocates for faster permit processes for international talent while simultaneously increasing the responsibility of companies recruiting from third countries. This increased responsibility would cover the employee's livelihood, language studies, and integration success, ensuring that social security does not act as a hidden wage subsidy for employers.