From migrants to workers Regional and local practices on integration of labour migrants and refugees in rural areas in the Nordic countries Edited by Lisbeth Greve Harbo, Timothy Heleniak and Åsa Ström Hildestrand NORDREGIO WORKING PAPER 2017:5 From migrants to workers - Regional and local practices on integration of labour migrants and refugees in rural areas in the Nordic countries From migrants to workers Regional and local practices on integration of labour migrants and refugees in rural areas in the Nordic countries Edited by Lisbeth Greve Harbo, Timothy Heleniak and Åsa Ström Hildestrand Chapters written by: Hjördis Rut Sigurjonsdottir, Leneisja Jungsberg, Nelli Mikkola, Lisbeth Greve Harbo, Sandra Oliveira e Costa, Alberto Huerta Morales From migrants to workers - Regional and local practices on integration of labour migrants and refugees in rural areas in the Nordic countries Nordregio Working Paper 2017:5 ISBN: 978-91-87295-51-5 ISSN: 1403-2511 © Nordregio 2017 and the authors Nordregio P.O. Box 1658 SE-111 86 Stockholm, Sweden [email protected] www.nordregio.se www.norden.org Editors: Lisbeth Greve Harbo, Timothy Heleniak and Åsa Ström Hildestrand Cover Photo: Hjördis Nordic co-operation Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. Nordic co-operation has fi rm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and inter- national collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in a strong Europe. Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. Common Nordic values help the region solidify its position as one of the world’s most innovative and competitive. The Nordic Council is a forum for co-operation between the Nordic parliaments and governments. The Council consists of 87 parliamentarians from the Nordic countries. The Nordic Council takes policy initiatives and monitors Nordic co-operation. Founded in 1952. The Nordic Council of Ministers is a forum of co-operation between the Nordic governments. The Nordic Council of Ministers implements Nordic co-operation. The prime ministers have the overall responsibility. Its activities are co-ordinated by the Nordic ministers for co-operation, the Nordic Committee for co-operation and portfolio ministers. Founded in 1971. Nordregio conducts strategic research in the fi elds of planning and regional policy. Nordregio is active in research and dissemina- tion and provides policy relevant knowledge, particularly with a Nordic and European comparative perspective. Nordregio was established in 1997 by the Nordic Council of Ministers, and is built on over 40 years of collaboration. Stockholm, Sweden, 2017 Table of contents Preface .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Methodology for case studies ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Reading guide ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 References ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Iceland: Ísafjörður municipality ...............................................................................................................................13 Immigrants in Iceland .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Offi cial policies on immigration and integration ............................................................................................................. 13 Defi nition and understanding of integration ............................................................................................................. 14 Responsible government agencies .............................................................................................................................. 15 Changes due to increasing immigration ....................................................................................................................... 15 The labour market ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Workers recruitment in shortage occupations .......................................................................................................... 16 The role of education for immigrants ....................................................................................................................... 16 Ísafjörður municipality ................................................................................................................................................... 18 Role of immigration and integration in regional development strategy .................................................................... 18 The Polish community in the municipality ................................................................................................................ 19 Lessons learned....................................................................................................................................................... 20 Challenges in the integration process ...................................................................................................................... 20 References .................................................................................................................................................................... 22 The Faroe Islands: Klaksvik municipality ............................................................................................................ 23 Immigration policies and authorities .............................................................................................................................. 23 Immigration actors at Faroese and local level............................................................................................................... 24 Faroe Islands and Klaksvik Municipality ..................................................................................................................... 24 Population with foreign background ......................................................................................................................... 24 Role of immigration and integration in regional development .................................................................................. 25 References ................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Immigration in Greenland ......................................................................................................................................... 28 Profi le of immigrants in Greenland ................................................................................................................................ 28 References .................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Norway: Nordland county .......................................................................................................................................... 31 National policy overview................................................................................................................................................ 31 Recent changes to integration policy ........................................................................................................................... 31 Integration actors at national and regional levels .......................................................................................................... 32 Integration process and programs ............................................................................................................................... 32 Residence and housing process for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers .................................................... 32 Risk of a segregated labour market ......................................................................................................................... 33 Demographic and economic trends for Nordland county ............................................................................................. 33 Immigration as part of the regional development strategy ...................................................................................... 33 Implementation of integration in Nordland county and Herøy municipality ............................................................. 35 Immigrants settling on a long-term basis ................................................................................................................. 36 References 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