Government bills7
- HE 80/2026 vpIn progress
Better protection for exploited foreign workers
A foreign worker would be allowed to seek new employment for three months longer before their residence permit is revoked if their working conditions have involved exploitation. At the same time, processing times for residence permit applications and employers' notification obligations would be clarified.
11 Sep 2026 · no votes yet - HE 155/2025 vpPassed
Employment for NATO and diplomatic families
Family members of diplomats as well as NATO and military personnel serving on official duty in Finland and the United States would receive the right to engage in gainful employment in their host country. Working would be made possible without a separate work permit and without the family member having to forfeit their diplomatic status or special status.
11 Dec 2025 · passed without a vote - HE 179/2024 vpPassed with amendments
Protected periods for work-based residence permits
People living in Finland on a work-based residence permit will have a protected period of three or six months to find a new job if they become unemployed, before the permit can be cancelled. In addition, employers will be obliged to notify the authorities of the termination of employment, and workers will also be permitted to work in labour shortage sectors.
11 Apr 2025 · 3 votes95 jaa74 ei - HE 169/2024 vpPassed
Bringing berry pickers under seasonal employment
Foreign wild berry pickers will be able to enter Finland on a seasonal work permit and work in an employment relationship. The change will improve pickers' working conditions and prevent human trafficking and labour exploitation.
17 Dec 2024 · passed without a vote - HE 65/2020 vpPassed
Expanding asylum seekers' right to work
Asylum seekers already in Finland will be granted the right to work in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and fisheries immediately without a waiting period. Work can continue despite a refusal-of-entry decision for as long as the person is covered by reception services.
11 Jun 2020 · 5 votes43 jaa11 ei - HE 252/2020 vpPassed with amendments
Easier employer changes for seasonal workers
Foreign seasonal workers will be able to change employers while in Finland without applying for an entirely new permit. At the same time, the notification burden on employers will be eased and the permit procedure for seasonal workers returning to their previous work will be streamlined.
28 Mar 2021 · passed without a vote - HE 80/2017 vpPassed with amendments
Reforming seasonal worker and specialist permits
Separate acts will govern the permits and rights of seasonal workers from outside the EU and workers transferred within multinational companies. Workers will be guaranteed equal treatment in terms of employment conditions and access to public healthcare during their stay in Finland.
24 Nov 2017 · 1 vote161 jaa16 ei