Mandaluyong city: As Finland seeks more Filipino skilled workers, Finnish officials and recruiters emphasized strong worker protection, ethical recruitment, and family-friendly support for Filipino workers hired at the mega job fair held in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Joonas Halla, business development manager at Business Finland, and Elisa Vepsalainen, CEO at Silkkitie, shared the growing demand for Filipino workers due to their character and work ethic. Halla added that Finland is also facing an impending workforce shortage, with nearly half of its labor force expected to retire by 2040.
"We do need Filipino workers in the coming years. Like I said, Finland is an aging population and I think there is a very good cultural match between Finland and the Philippines," Halla stated. He highlighted the proficiency in English and a shared moral concept of life as key factors contributing to this cultural match. Halla also mentioned that Finnish companies express admiration for the work ethic of Filipino workers, which has generated a positive reputation in Finland.
Halla noted that Finnish firms are particularly looking for workers in the industry sector, such as welders and machinists, as well as in the service sector. Meanwhile, Vepsalainen from Silkkitie, which operates in the Finnish health sector, explained that their company maintains a pipeline of candidates, some of whom are currently undergoing Finnish language training, although not all sectors require language skills.
Both Halla and Vepsalainen assured equal pay and worker protection similar to that afforded to Finnish workers, including family support and integration mechanisms. Vepsalainen emphasized the support available to single parents, highlighting Finland's flexible and inclusive system.
The job fair was part of the Philippines-Finland Friendship Week, which began on Tuesday, aiming to promote safe and transparent hiring practices. Finland also enforces a strict no-placement-fee policy to ensure ethical recruitment. For more information on working in Finland, interested individuals may visit the website:.
