Riikka Purra, the Finnish Minister of Finance and leader of the Finns Party, has put forward a controversial proposal suggesting that immigrants should be obligated to undertake unpaid work linked to their social security benefits. This idea is inspired by the Danish model, which aims to encourage immigrants to contribute to society while simultaneously controlling immigration. In Purra's view, the requirement for unpaid work is a practical solution for addressing the labor shortage in low-wage sectors, such as cleaning, which are often unattractive to the native workforce.

Purra argues that the current system is unsustainable because the difficult and irregular jobs available do not offer sufficient financial incentive compared to the benefits offered by social security. As a result, immigrants may enter the workforce but tend to leave the jobs once their residency is secured, creating a cycle of short-term labor without a lasting solution to employment or integration. This repetitive cycle leads to the need for new arrivals to fill positions that existing residents refuse to take, perpetuating labor shortages in essential sectors.

The implications of Purra’s proposal could be profound, as it raises ethical questions about labor rights and the treatment of immigrants in the workforce. It suggests a shift in the social contract, where work is extracted in exchange for support from the state rather than promoting integration through fair and equitable employment opportunities. The proposal has sparked debate within Finland regarding immigration policies, workforce needs, and social equity, making it a critical topic for upcoming discussions in Finland.