The European Commission has proposed the creation of an EU Talent Pool with the aim of facilitating international recruitment to respond to skills and labour shortages. The Government submitted a Union communication on its position concerning the proposal to Parliament on 29 February 2024.

The Youth Mobility Agreement allows Canadian and Finnish young people aged 18 to 35 to explore the other country through temporary work and travel. The agreement enters into force on 1 March 2024.

An income limit of EUR 1,600 would be set for the residence permit for an employed person. In future, the income limit would be laid down by government decree. The government proposal will be circulated for comments until 31.1.2024.

This autumn, the revised Labour Force Barometer focuses on the future prospects of the technology industry and the social welfare, health and wellbeing sectors. The greatest shortage of labour is in the health and social services sector, where skilled workers are needed for the care of older people, in particular. The outlook for the technology sector is expected to improve after next summer.

The Talent Boost programme on work-based and education-based immigration will continue in a revised form during this Government term. The aim is to provide Finland with skills that meet its needs and to strengthen economic growth, employment and innovation activities. The ministerial working group on employment and entrepreneurship approved the programme on 21 November 2023.