By Arto Satonen, Finland’s Minister of Employment
Photos from the Embassy of Finland in Manila Facebook Page
In a few days, I will visit the Philippines with Finnish officials and representatives from various organizations to intensify international recruitment cooperation between our countries. My trip also coincides with an important time in our bilateral relations; the year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and the Philippines.
During the visit, we want to tell you about the Finnish labor market, the kinds of experts Finnish companies need, and about moving to Finland so that international recruitment becomes easy for everyone.
More and more employers in Finland recruit skilled employees from abroad.
We want Finland to be a reliable partner country in international recruitment and a good place of work and residence for international experts.
Companies in Finland offer many kinds of employment and career opportunities, especially in the technology sector, industry, and health care. A large delegation representing Finnish companies is accompanying me to the Philippines.
We want to promote cooperation between our countries to help companies and international talents find each other. We are committed to supporting both employers and employees so that the conditions for successful recruitment are as good as possible. It is of utmost importance to us that the recruitment process is smooth and ethical.
Why Finland?
Finland is an excellent option for those who are thinking of an international career. Finland offers a safe environment and an equal society for people to work and live.
Our labor market is well regulated and the rights of employees concerning the working hours, minimum wages and safe working conditions are prescribed in law.
We also offer support for settling and integrating in Finland. Finland is investing to make the residence permit process easier and the application for a permit can now be submitted online.
Our excellent education system is one of our strengths and we are particularly proud of our latest PISA results measuring the skills of adults. We invest in opportunities for employees to train and educate themselves more.
Ethics is the basis for everything, and our goal is to strengthen it through cooperation with the Philippines.
We hope that experts in the Philippines will look at reliable information about moving to Finland. This way we can prevent misunderstandings and risks. In Finland, the authorities actively combat the exploitation of labor and provide help and advice if any problems arise.
Now is an excellent time to intensify our bilateral relations. Cooperation between Finland and the Philippines has been built for years, and the Filipino community in Finland continues to grow.
The Government and the State of Finland are streamlining international recruitment, but of course the companies that recruit foreign employees and manage their recruitment play a key role.
Cooperation between our countries will benefit not only the companies but also the career opportunities of experts. In addition to the experts and employers, both our countries – Finland and the Philippines – will be winners in this.
I look forward to our successful cooperation.
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Arto Satonen, Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment, oversees employment policy, labor market regulation, work-based immigration, and adult education. Now in his sixth term as a Member of Parliament, Satonen has held key roles such as Deputy Speaker and committee chair.
Born in Sastamala, he holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences and has a background in entrepreneurship, teaching, and writing on welfare and labor policy. A sports and chess enthusiast, Satonen combines strategic thinking with a passion for public service.
For more information about moving to Finland and job vacancies, check out workinfinland.com.
