Foreign-Born Healthcare Workers Terminated in Finland

Strategic Insights -

The North Savo wellbeing services county in Helsinki, Finland, has terminated the employment contracts of 10 nurses and two doctors, all of foreign backgrounds, who were hired just last year. The decision was made during the workers' probationary periods due to concerns over their professional and language skills. Many regional healthcare authorities across Finland have been recruiting staff from abroad to address a severe shortage of skilled workers, particularly nurses.

Key Takeaways:

  • 10 nurses and 2 doctors from foreign backgrounds were terminated from their employment contracts in North Savo, Finland.
  • The workers were mainly Zimbabwean nationals who studied nursing in Poland, according to Saana Rantonen, a deputy chief shop steward at the Tehy union.
  • The North Savo services county emphasized that the decision to terminate the contracts was not based on any form of discrimination.
  • The recruiters claimed to have acted in accordance with the agreement made with the wellbeing county, despite concerns over the thoroughness of their checks.
  • The recruitment service provider shifted responsibility to the wellbeing county for the inadequate vetting of the workers' skills and language levels.
  • The workers affected by the decision were not all from Zimbabwe, contrary to earlier reports.
  • The wellbeing county has offered a 10-nurse fixed-term contract extension until the end of the month.

Statistics:

  • 12 workers had their employment contracts terminated by the North Savo wellbeing services county.
  • 10 of the workers were nurses and 2 were doctors.
  • The workers were mainly Zimbabwean nationals who studied nursing in Poland.
  • The North Savo healthcare authority has a severe shortage of skilled workers, particularly nurses.
  • Regional healthcare authorities across Finland have been recruiting staff from abroad to address the shortage.

Sources:

  • Yle
  • Savon Sanomat
  • Tehy union statement, as reported by Yle
  • North Savo wellbeing services county statement, as reported by Savon Sanomat and Yle
  • Sami Remes, North Savo healthcare authority interview, as reported by local media