Migration
Articles on migration.
How do you stop the exploitation of foreign labour?
There have always been groups of foreign workers in the Nordic labour markets who are hard to define. Are they coming to work, study or as a cultural exchange? They might be au pairs, interns or berry pickers.
Major increase in applications: Iceland’s government seeks tighter immigration rules
There have been strong and frequent discussions about a change in the immigration system in Iceland in recent years. The reason is a huge increase in asylum applications which has proved very costly for the Icelandic state.
Aiming for full mobility in the Nordic region’s largest labour market
The Öresund Bridge is 25 next year, yet despite the good commuting opportunities it offers there is still a way to go before the Nordic’s largest labour market is fully integrated. This year, Sweden holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and greater mobility in the Nordic region is a top priority.
Finland still tempting, but many Estonian workers are returning home
Estonia’s capital Tallinn is a charming city that boasts both medieval sights and rapid development. Not much remains from its period as a Soviet republic. Crossing the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn only takes a couple of hours.
Info Norden: 25 years of facilitating Nordic movement
For the past 25 years, Info Norden has been answering questions and learning things from people who want to move between Nordic countries in order to live, work, study or start a business. Info Norden is now seen as an important part of the Nordic Vision 2030 – to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.
Ukrainian women in Lithuania: We want to work for our country
Many well-educated Ukrainian women who have fled with their children to Lithuania struggle to find skilled work. Now, with the support from the Nordic Council of Ministers and others, women are getting the knowledge and tools they need to rebuild their country once the war ends.
Tur-retur tries to halt the brain drain from Finland to Sweden
It is a full table at the pub near Sweden’s parliament building. Around ten immigrants have gathered for the monthly meeting of the Swedish association of Ostrobothnians in Stockholm. It is an active association. In addition to the monthly pub meeting, there is a choir and other activities.
How to include more people in the Nordic labour markets?
If every Nordic country learned from each other’s successes, 700 000 more people could be in work, according to Danish researchers Sarah Kildahl Nielsen and Vibeke Jakobsen.
Swedes abroad: Can they really sway an election?
Every four years a special group of people get attention for a moment of time – the Swedes living aboard. Everyone wants to know how they will vote in the parliamentary elections. It is often claimed that overseas votes “can determine the election” because they are counted so late. But this year there was also a new phenomenon – the immigrant party Nyans.
Green aims in uncertain times
One of the most important goals for the Nordic labour market cooperation is to make sure the right knowledge and skills are available to meet the demands of the green transition. But new and surprising challenges must also be dealt with.
Arvika: Where EU temporary protection directive is turned into housing, jobs and schooling
By May 2022, 12.5 million Ukrainians were fleeing the war. 5.5 million have fled abroad and are covered by the EU’s temporary protection directive. 134 of them have arrived in Arvika in Sweden’s Western Värmland, which has now signed an agreement with the Swedish Migration Board to settle refugees long term.
The train to Russia stopped running. Lappeenranta limps on.
The borderless Nordic region turned out to be an illusion during the pandemic. It hit the Øresund region, border trade between Sweden and Norway and the citizens of Haparanda and Tornio. But Finland has an eastern border where traffic has ceased because of the pandemic. Today the war in Ukraine has made the situation even worse for Lappeenranta – the city with the closest links with Russia.
Russians in Finland "not fooled by Russian propaganda"
Maria Taina-Parviainen is one of many Russians who have moved across the border to Lappeenranta. 21 years ago she moved from the Leningrad region to take up an apprenticeship in Finland.
Fast track for refugees took opposite directions in Sweden and Norway
“Fast track was imported from Sweden, but came to Norway to die!” That is the subtitle of a chapter in a new book about how Norway’s welfare agency NAV has worked with inclusive workplaces, learning and innovation.
Iceland received the most refugees per capita in 2020 among the Nordics
Immigration to OECD countries fell by 30% in 2020 to 3.7 million people. That is the lowest level since 2003. Denmark, Finland and Norway received fewer asylum seekers per capita than the OECD average, while Iceland and Sweden took in considerably more.
The Intensive Year: 12 months to find jobs for Swedish immigrants
The Helsingborg employment service got ready as soon as the government announced its decision, and was prepared when the Intensive Year was launched on 15 April this year. One month later, 40 job seekers have been contacted. One of them is Mehmet.
Is Denmark's proposed refugee legislation unrealistic?
Denmark’s government has presented legislation that represents a first step towards realising a controversial election promise to set up reception centres in countries outside the EU. Refugees would stay there while their asylum applications are processed in Denmark. Critics doubt the proposed legislation is realistic.
More Nordic people wanted to become Norwegian in 2020
2020 saw a tenfold increase in the number of citizens from other Nordic countries gaining Norwegian citizenship. From 1 January that year, it became possible to hold dual citizenships in Norway. 1,905 people applied to become Norwegian citizens while keeping their old citizenship.
Danish immigration hardliner faces impeachment trial
In what is only the second time in 100 years, a Danish parliamentarian is being impeached.
Towards happier times?
A Covid-19 vaccine with a 90% success rate was a longed-for piece of news as the Nordic region is facing the second wave of the pandemic. This crisis also impacts on the integration of newly-arrived immigrants.
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