Four recruitment companies from Finland, namely Bondata, Silkkitie, Amiko and Barona, are in the Philippines as part of a friendship week program between the two countries.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) with Delegates from Embassy of Finland and Business Finland celebrating Philippines-Finland Friendship Week. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
In a statement by Business Finland on December 2, the visit of the agencies is to provide Filipino professionals “with clear information on what it is like to live and work in Finland and promote ethical and transparent recruitment.” The visit aimed to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Finland, with a ceremony held on Tuesday at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City, with the theme, “A Season of Friendship and Light”.
“Finland upholds fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity in its labor market. We want Filipino professionals to have accurate information so they can make informed decisions about building stable, long-term careers in Finland,” Work in Finland Business Development Manager Joonas Halla said.
“The Filipino workers moving to Finland will receive a residence permit, not just a visa. This gives them the same rights and responsibilities as Finnish residents, allowing them to access public services and fully integrate into local communities,” he added.
A Finnish delegation met with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other reliable private recruitment agencies (PRA) in discussing fair hiring practices, migrant worker support programs, and safe recruitment channels, ensuring Filipino professionals have reliable pathways to work in Finland.
“Our goal is to help companies in Finland as well as individual talents from abroad find a perfect match and support them both,” Barona executive vice president for Global Talent Solutions Elina Santalahti said in a statement.
“Barona, being one of the biggest employers in Finland, has already been recruiting global talents and Filipinos for more than 15 years. We have strong expertise in this field, and our operations lie strongly on ethical and sustainable practices,” Santalahti added.
According to Business Finland, the northern European country is preparing for a major workforce turnover, with close to half of its workers retiring by 2040.
“The largest gaps are anticipated in social and health services, as well as in business, sales, and industrial roles. To fill these gaps and meet growing industry demand, Finland will need 1.37 million new workers by 2040. The Philippines, with its young and strong talent pipeline, is well-positioned to help fill this demand,” they said in a statement.
“Finland’s collective agreement–based labor system guarantees consistent and fair working conditions for all employees. International professionals receive the same starting salary as Finnish workers in equivalent roles, with pay progression determined strictly by experience. Equal pay principles apply from day one,” they added.
According to Bondata Partnership Director Rebekka Kiljunen, their company is committed to offering a “reliable, safe, and people-centered pathway for professionals from the Philippines and around the world to build a meaningful career and life in Finland”.
“Our focus is on creating stable, lasting employment. We specialize in long-term positions and provide extensive support to employees throughout their journey,” Kiljunen said.
According to Statistics Finland in 2024, there are 15,122 Filipino citizens living in Finland and 16,836 people in Finland are born in the Philippines.