Pilot Project 2 study visit to Finland took place on 2-5 June 2014 with the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy as a host

Hosted by the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), the PP2 Study Visit to Finland gathered representatives of 11 participating states. The MEE first introduced participants to labour migration management in Finland, including the various ministerial responsibilities and structures. The MEE is responsible for employment and integration issues, whilst the Ministry of Interior has competence over all other migration related areas. Challenges are faced in terms of data collection and the envisaged establishing of one single joint database. The recently published migration strategy of Finland until 2020 was introduced as well as the current labour migration flows to the country, the national labour shortages and surpluses, and the various support structures for guidance and integration of immigrants (ALPO project). Participants then had the chance to visit the local Employment and Economic Development Services in order to get an insight into the daily work regarding the labour market insertion of both foreigners and nationals. A guide for new immigrants was introduced before also looking into the functioning of EURES. On the following day, participants first visited the Ministry of Interior to learn more about the actual immigration situation and migration policy of Finland. The afternoon entailed a visit to the Finnish Immigration Service where participants learned more about the registration of aliens and the work permit issuing process in Finland. The day was rounded off by a boat trip through the Helsinki archipelago, featuring an exquisite dinner sponsored by the hosting country.   On the final day, participants met with project officers from across Finland, working under the so-called MATTO project. During this networking session, both sides had the opportunity to exchange views on their national practices and everyday challenges and experiences. In the afternoon, participants were introduced to the public information services of the Helsinki City Hall.         The agenda of the study visit is available in English and Russian.Presentations:Mr Olli Sorainen, Government Counsellor, Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), Labour Migration Management in Finnland & some figuresMr Oli Sorainen, Government Counsellor, Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), Labour migration floes to Finland - permits based on labour migration in 2013 Ms Tiina Oinonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), Labour market situation in Finland - top shortages and surplusesMs Tiina Oinonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), International recruitment to the health care sector as part of the HYVÄ programme - state of playMr John Watson, International Recruting Specialist, Uusimaa Employment and Economic Development Office, EURES, EURopean Employment ServicesMr Tuomo Kurri, Migration Director, Ministry of the Interior, Immigration and Immigration Policy in FinnlandMs Elina Hirttiö, Senior Adviser, Ministry of the Interior, Labour Migration - Free movement from the European Union and Migration from Third CountriesMr Vesa Hagström, Director of Information Management, Finnish Immigration Service, UMA - the electronic case management system for immigration Mr Antti Helin, Adviser, Finnish Immigration Service, Work Permit Process in Finland Mr Tapani Kojonsaari, Project Manager, Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), ESF Development Programme for Labour Migration meets Prague ProcessMr Hannu-Pekka Huttunen, Project Manager, Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE), Development of immigration and integration in Finland with the support of European Social Fund 2008-2014