Skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants in Finland
Mutuku, Lynn (2017)
Mutuku, Lynn
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201704194955
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201704194955
Tiivistelmä
The topic of this research is skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants in Finland. This research is an empirical research which focuses on the experiences of six skill-related underemployed immigrants in Finland. The method of data collection was through face to face interviews. The research seeks to answer three main questions. One: What are the factors that lead to skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants? Two: How does skill-related underemployment affect the subjective health of educated immigrants in Finland? Three: What could be done in order to alleviate the under-employment of educated immigrants in Finland? The guiding theoretical concepts include; the social capital theory, human capital theory, cultural capital theory and person-environment subjective health theories.
The results of the research found out that, skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants is a multifaceted issue. The main results for thesis question one include poor integration government policies, poor attitude climate towards immigrants, lack of standardized language skills demands in the labour market, pressure of settling down and labour discrimination. The main results for thesis question two revealed that, skill-related underemployment affects educated immigrants negatively. Mainly, it deprives them off their economic power, self-identity and results in to poor mental and physical health. The results to the third research question; on the recommendations for eradicating of skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants include change of policies. These policies include, changing the immigration policies to allow immigrant-undergraduates enough time to find professional jobs congruent to their credentials. Another policy lies on the education institutions, which recommends providence of adequate Finnish language skills to international students. It also recommends internship and mentorship programs for educated immigrants. Educated immigrants are also advised to be proactive in job search. Stringent laws banning discrimination in the labour market and a proper follow-up guideline also needs to be implemented by the government. In conclusion skill-related underemployed educated immigrants in Finland often possess human capital but lack social and cultural capitals. Efforts to alleviate skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants in Finland should be focused on building cultural and social capitals of educated immigrants. One such way is changing the integration model for immigrants in Finland from the current social bonding capital to bridging social capital in order to allow immigrants a fair access to labour market.
The research findings could be beneficiary to the Finnish policy makers. The research results highlight the role of government policies in skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants in Finland. The results of this research are also beneficial to the Finnish community because it sensitizes them on the subject of skill related-underemployment of educated immigrants. Finally the research results are educational to the skill-related underemployed educated immigrants as well as international students. It proposes solutions to the problem as well as advising on how to avoid the problem. It is vital to notice that congruent job-education for educated immigrants in Finland will not only increase their well-being but also put them in a position to pay more taxes to the government.
The results of the research found out that, skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants is a multifaceted issue. The main results for thesis question one include poor integration government policies, poor attitude climate towards immigrants, lack of standardized language skills demands in the labour market, pressure of settling down and labour discrimination. The main results for thesis question two revealed that, skill-related underemployment affects educated immigrants negatively. Mainly, it deprives them off their economic power, self-identity and results in to poor mental and physical health. The results to the third research question; on the recommendations for eradicating of skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants include change of policies. These policies include, changing the immigration policies to allow immigrant-undergraduates enough time to find professional jobs congruent to their credentials. Another policy lies on the education institutions, which recommends providence of adequate Finnish language skills to international students. It also recommends internship and mentorship programs for educated immigrants. Educated immigrants are also advised to be proactive in job search. Stringent laws banning discrimination in the labour market and a proper follow-up guideline also needs to be implemented by the government. In conclusion skill-related underemployed educated immigrants in Finland often possess human capital but lack social and cultural capitals. Efforts to alleviate skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants in Finland should be focused on building cultural and social capitals of educated immigrants. One such way is changing the integration model for immigrants in Finland from the current social bonding capital to bridging social capital in order to allow immigrants a fair access to labour market.
The research findings could be beneficiary to the Finnish policy makers. The research results highlight the role of government policies in skill-related underemployment of educated immigrants in Finland. The results of this research are also beneficial to the Finnish community because it sensitizes them on the subject of skill related-underemployment of educated immigrants. Finally the research results are educational to the skill-related underemployed educated immigrants as well as international students. It proposes solutions to the problem as well as advising on how to avoid the problem. It is vital to notice that congruent job-education for educated immigrants in Finland will not only increase their well-being but also put them in a position to pay more taxes to the government.