The article discusses the stark contrast in employment opportunities for Ukrainian refugees between Estonia and Finland. While Estonia has managed to integrate a large portion of its Ukrainian refugees into the labor market, with about 90% of them being either employed or actively seeking work, Finland has struggled with a much lower employment rate of only 30% by the end of last year. The insights are drawn from a report by UNHCR, IOM, and Estonian refugee aid organizations, which surveyed almost a thousand Ukrainian refugees in Estonia regarding their socio-economic wellbeing.

The findings indicate that in Estonia, a vast majority of working-age Ukrainian refugees have found employment, with 79% currently employed and only 11% unemployed. Additionally, 15% of those surveyed reported leading or having recently led a business. This success in Estonia contrasts sharply with the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Finland, where systemic issues, including language barriers, have hindered their employment opportunities. Researcher Toni Ahvenainen from the Migration Institute suggests that this difference in language skills plays a crucial role in the employment rates witnessed in both countries.

The article highlights the importance of addressing such barriers in order to improve the integration of refugees in Finland. As effective employment is a crucial factor for the welfare of refugees and reduces dependency on state support, this issue could have broader implications for Finland’s immigration policy and the support systems in place for refugees. The ongoing evaluation of these differences might lead to strategies that can be employed to improve the situation in Finland, ensuring better integration and support for those seeking refuge from conflict.