The coronavirus epidemic has caused a lack of manpower in strategic sectors for the functioning of society. For this reason, the Government has decided to provisionally repeal the legal limitations that prevent foreigners from third countries (from outside the EU or the EEA) from changing their field of work.
The temporary provisions will remain in force until 31 October.
In practice, this means that third-country nationals residing in Finland with a residence permit or a permit based on the Seasonal Workers Act may change employer and field of employment without applying for an extended permit.
According to the Ministry of Work and Employment, those amendments "enable such foreigners to work in duties central to the security of supply and to the functioning of the labour market." Until now, to change the employer or field of employment, third-country nationals had to apply for an extension of the residence permit.
For example, Finnish agrarian organizations have said they will need about 10,000 people to work on farms and harvest crops this spring and next summer.
On 2 April 2020, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal on acts amending the Aliens Act and the Seasonal Workers Act. Parliament approved the amended government proposal and the President of the Republic approved the amendments on 9 April 2020.
Labour shortages with borders closed
"The amendments help reduce labour shortages in areas essential to the security of supply during the emergency conditions when the borders are closed," says Sonja Hämäläinen, Migration Director from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Under normal conditions, the existing legislation on immigrants does not allow a change of occupation from the sector mentioned in the first residence permit to another sector; for this, the person would have to apply for an extended permit. With an extended permit, the change of occupation is possible.
The Aliens Act, the Seasonal Workers Act, the Intra-Corporate Transferees Act and the Act on the Conditions of Entry and Residence of Third-Country Nationals for the Purposes of Research, Studies, Training and Voluntary Service were amended with temporary provisions which enable third-country nationals legally residing in Finland, based on the said acts, to work in duties central to the security of supply and the functioning of the labour market.
As regards permits granted under the Seasonal Workers Act, the provisions also apply to third-country nationals entering Finland at a later stage.
