The member of the Finnish parliament, Joakim Vigelius from the Perussuomalaiset (PS) party, has sparked controversy with his recent social media statements and a press release criticizing the welfare areas' practice of providing additional financial support for purchasing traditional hame dresses worn by Roma women. He questioned why this type of expenditure is not among the first to be cut from the budget in light of the current economic situation in Finland.

In response, Päivi Majaniemi, head of the Finnish Roma Association, expressed her astonishment at Vigelius's remarks and emphasized that the issue at hand is about whether impoverished individuals can live in accordance with their cultural traditions. She explained that for a Roma woman who chooses to wear a hame, it is a lifelong commitment to her cultural identity, as it is necessary for social activities such as visiting the market or participating in community events. Majaniemi argued that denying support for such cultural expressions due to poverty is a violation of human dignity.

The controversy has also attracted attention from other political figures, including PS representative Juho Eerola, who has submitted a written inquiry regarding how welfare areas determine their support parameters. This dialogue highlights ongoing tensions between cultural representation and economic policy in Finland, raising questions about the role of government assistance in preserving cultural identities amidst fiscal constraints.