Cleaning professionals in Finland have voiced strong disapproval of recent comments made by Finance Minister Riikka Purra, which they believe belittle the cleaning sector and its workers. Tiina Koivisto, a longstanding professional in the industry and the chief representative of cleaning company N-Clean, expressed her shock at Purra's statement, which suggested that immigrants could perform simple tasks such as cleaning, implying that these jobs do not take away 'real' jobs from others. This viewpoint has raised significant concerns within the industry regarding the recognition of the hard work and skill required in cleaning jobs.

Purra's remarks are linked to a broader advocacy for a system similar to Denmark's, where immigrants must work a minimum number of hours to receive social benefits. However, many industry professionals, including Koivisto, find it perplexing that a minister could make such a disparaging comment about the cleaning profession, which they argue requires considerable effort and skill. She highlighted that cleaning work is physically demanding and essential for public health and safety, pushing back against the notion that it is merely 'simple' labor.

The controversy surrounding Purra's comments brings to the forefront the ongoing discussions about the treatment of low-wage workers and the contribution of immigrants in the labor market. It raises important questions about how society values different types of work and the potential implications for policies aimed at integrating immigrants into the workforce. The cleaning industry, being vital yet often undervalued, could face more scrutiny in discussions about fair labor practices and respect for all professions, regardless of wage level.