STATEMENT
The chairperson of the Finns Party, Riikka Purra, has said on several occasions that her party’s long-term goal is that only Finnish citizens have the right to social welfare.
While such a plan is highly discriminatory, even racist, it is unfortunate that journalists don’t ask Purra what she means and what challenges would arise if they ban social welfare for foreigners. Apart from requiring a change in the constitution, which would have to get a two-thirds majority, is such a plan only a campaign stand and a pipe dream?
Apart from breaching EU law and human rights and being discriminatory, should foreigners in Finland pay less taxes since they will not be eligible for social welfare? Are there other hidden charges like tuition for children attending comprehensive school and health care?
According to some estimates, Finland needs about 40,000 labor migrants a year to plug its chronic labor shortage.
Such measures by the PS will certainly make Finland unattractive to labor migrants.
Why would you want to move to a country that treats you like a second-class member of society?
There is no sense in it.
For further information contact:
Enrique Tessieri
Media Monitoring Group Finland
+358 40 8400773
contact@reilumedia.fi
*Media Monitoring Group of Finland aims to promote fair and accurate reporting by the Finnish media of underrepresented cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious groups. As Finland’s cultural diversity continues to grow, the role of the media in forming public opinion and attitudes about minorities becomes even more relevant.
Read our first report published on 17 March here.
