In recent days, Finance Minister Riikka Purra's (Finns) comments about tying immigrants' social benefits to free labour have been making the rounds in the Finnish media.
"In Denmark, social welfare — especially last-resort support — is tied to a 37.5-hour weekly work requirement," Purra told Finns Party publication Suomen Uutiset. "The obligation applies especially to foreigners and involves simple tasks, such as cleaning or gathering twigs, which do not displace any actual jobs," she added.
Yle political journalist Marica Paukkeri noted that Finns Party leader Purra's comments come as parties start gearing up for the next general elections, which are now a year away.
Across social media, Purra's remarks have been interpreted as downplaying the work of cleaners. The criticism has been echoed by the main opposition party, the Social Democrats (SDP).
According to Paukkeri, the core message of Purra's remarks — making unpaid labour a condition for receiving social benefits — should be understood primarily as a signal to her own supporters and as campaign rhetoric.
That said, the government is pressing ahead with tightening social welfare rules that will affect immigrants, but the ideas suggested by Purra have not been agreed in the coalition programme.
Final stretch of term
There is no consensus among the governing parties. At the same time, the parliamentary term has already reached its final stretch.
Finland's Constitution is another hurdle to Purra's suggestion. Paukkeri noted that constitutionally, everyone is guaranteed a basic livelihood, and no one may be treated differently without a legitimate reason, including one based on origin or language.
This spring, the government is expected to present parliament with proposals to restrict children's home care allowances for immigrants living in the country for fewer than three years, and to introduce a language supplement within integration support.
"It is clear that in the coming months, representatives of the governing parties — including ministers — are likely to make statements that reflect not the government's collective intent, but rather the individual priorities of their parties," Paukkeri said in her analysis of the situation.
Generally, a government's term unfolds with the most difficult decisions tackled early on, clearing the way for the remainder of the parliamentary period.
