Finland Plans Cuts to Ukrainian Refugee Support

(MENAFN) Ukrainians residing in Finland may face a reduction in public assistance due to a new fiscal plan introduced by Finance Minister Riikka Purra, according to a news agency.

Several nations across Europe that were initially open to hosting Ukrainian refugees have recently begun to scale back the financial support offered to these individuals.

Just last week, Purra suggested eliminating the “integration compensation” payments that are currently provided to local councils and regional welfare bodies to support asylum seekers and refugees.

This measure is part of a broader strategy aimed at saving €317 million ($344 million) over a two-year period.

The proposal will first be evaluated during the government’s autumn budget talks before it can move on to parliamentary approval.

The current compensation program serves to reimburse municipalities for expenses associated with the integration of migrants.

Covered services include Finnish language instruction, job placement assistance, and educational programs that familiarize new arrivals with the norms and values of Finnish society.

If the proposed changes go into effect, local governments would still be legally obligated to provide integration services, but they would need to seek out alternative sources of financing.

Sonja Hamalainen, who serves as the director of immigration at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, told the news agency that approximately two-thirds of this year’s integration funds—and an estimated three-quarters for the next year—are allocated for Ukrainians.

Currently, around 46,000 Ukrainians are residing in Finland under temporary protection status.

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