Irmeli Tuomarla, Editor in chief
27.4.2007

Transferring immigration issues from the Ministry of Labour to the Ministry of the Interior is a great change in the history of immigration administration. Since the beginning of the 1980s I have walked along a path of history myself too.

The steps of change have been rather steep along the way. Without doubt, the change to be executed will be the biggest of all because the Ministry of the Interior will be in charge of immigrants´ integration. Creating a good operational model by applying a more holistic approach poses a new challenge to the new administration. Immigrant issues have been assigned to a special minister, Astrid Thors, who is also responsible for issues related to Europe. I do hope that from the perspective of those seeking refuge in the country or arriving here because of work, study or family relations, the integration path would be smoother than previously and their matters would be dealt with in a more straightforward way.

Mervi Virtanen, director of the immigration policy department of the Ministry of Labour states in this magazine that originally the Ministry disagreed about the administrative concentration, but now that the solutions have been made, things are prepared according to the framework by the current government. What she emphasises is that from now on the ministries have to engage in closer collaboration than before not to backtrack from integration. Besides, the altered administration can cause unexpected and even awkward situations.

This magazine focuses on the state of immigrant affairs in our neighbouring country Sweden. Immigration minister Tobias Billström, subordinate to the Ministry of Justice, is responsible for refugee and immigration policy as well as the related international collaboration. The figures of immigrants entering Sweden through asylum application are quite different compared to Finland. This year they expect 40,000 asylum seekers in Sweden, about half of whom are fleeing the war in Iraq. However, the immigration minister stresses that Sweden has to break ground for employment-based immigration. A declining workforce of those needed to do the work is a great concern in both countries.

The new government programme highlights the prevention of immigrants´ displacement, which is a fact that mustn´t be swept under the carpet. The outcome of the opinion poll conducted on immigration by Helsingin Sanomat during the recent parliamentary election was alarming. 40 percent of the respondents took a negative attitude towards immigration.

In Finland there is a set legislation framework to prevent discrimination. Moreover, there are facilities which people can resort to, in cases of discrimination, which can be tackled by the discrimination ombudsman and the minority ombudsman as independent authorities. What we demand now is the responsibility of municipalities and employees to follow the composed plans of equality and engage actively in bringing forward any expressions of discrimination. Racism is a crime against humanity in which we have to intervene.