Attendo, a Finnish care company, expanded its workforce significantly by hiring 1,500 caregivers from overseas following a shortage in domestic staff. The recruitment, which began post-2020, included 1,000 caregivers from the Philippines and approximately 500 from Ethiopia, Kenya, and India. However, the move did not result in a straightforward integration, as many of the newly hired caregivers faced issues securing long-term positions. After a series of negotiations, Attendo ultimately reduced its Finnish workforce by about 300 staff in 2024 due, in part, to regulatory challenges surrounding the contracts of temporary workers.

According to Attendo's CEO, Virpi Holmqvist, while the incoming international workers were required to have fixed-term contracts, Finnish labor laws complicated their integration into the existing workforce. The changing landscape of care needs, influenced by budget pressures on welfare regions and shifts in staffing requirements, necessitated a recalibration of employee resources. One key factor was the former government's decision to gradually increase caregiver-to-patient ratios in 24-hour care environments, which created an initial surge in recruitment.

The shift in caregiver needs meant that welfare regions were not investing in Attendo as before, directly impacting staffing levels and operational capacities. The complexities surrounding labor relations, job security for foreign hires, and the economic constraints faced by welfare agencies highlight the ongoing challenges within Finland's care sector, necessitating a thoughtful reconsideration of staffing strategies and employment practices going forward.