Lennart Komp Communication Manager, MA Varsinais-Suomen Viro-keskus ry Terttu Parkkinen Senior Lecturer, MA Turku University of Applied Sciences Kaisa Jokela Project Advisor, MA Turku University of Applied Sciences Estonians in Finland – a two bladed sword Keywords: Estonian families, work-related migration, social well-being, social challenges, adapting, social work, project. During the past decade over 50,000 Estonians counted, this number could rise up to 100,000. have moved to Finland, mostly for work-related This is over 7% of the entire population of Es- reasons. Some estimates state that this number tonia. might be close to 100,000. Rapid and extensive The study “Migration potential of the work- migration has caused problems and challeng- ing-age population in Estonia in 2013” showed es that were previously unknown. This article 45% of the people intending to work abroad said is based on two small surveys (both qualitative the main reason for going abroad was due to the and quantitative methods were used) conduct- lower wages in Estonia. The second most com- ed in Estonia and Finland, which are put in a mon reason was the higher living standard and broader context with the help of larger studies. the social guarantees in the destination coun- It introduces everyday challenges that migra- try. Also Telve’s recent study on workers com- tion has created and argues about the reasons muting between Estonia and Finland showed and possible solutions. that the most important criterion for choosing While thousands of Estonians have found a a mobile way of life was an increase in income. better standard of living in Finland than in their Social guarantees and better working condi- native country, rapid and extensive migration tions were also important for commuting men. from the southern to the northern shore of Emigration from Estonia to Finland is slow- the Gulf of Finland has caused challenges and ing down, but more and more research about problems that were previously unknown. the effects and consequences of this trend have Over a short period of time, Finland has be- been conducted. It can be recognized that as come a country with the largest Estonian com- long as the wages in Estonia remain lower than munity worldwide. Since the 2000s, the major in other EU Member States and especially in destination country for emigration and working Finland, the Estonian population will continue abroad has been Finland. In 2012, the people to be highly motivated to work abroad. who relocated to Finland made up 59% of all Turku University of Applied Sciences coor- emigrants and the people working in Finland dinates the REGI Project funded by the EU Cen- made up 65% of all people working abroad but tral Baltic Interreg 2014–2020 Program. Other residing in Estonia. Different databases give dif- organizations participating in the project are ferent statistics about Estonians living Finland. the Estonia Centre of Southwest Finland, Bal- According to Statistics Finland, over 50,000 tic Region Healthy Cities Association and Tal- Estonian citizens lived in Finland in 2015. But it linn University Rakvere College in Estonia. The is estimated that if weekly commuters, unreg- project is aimed at supporting Estonian families istered workers, members of families etc. are where some of the family members live in Fin- 46 land and some live in Estonia or the entire fam- comprehensive database or register is not ily lives in Finland. REGI aims to take a hands- available. Parents often don’t inform the local on approach in tackling challenges caused by government in Estonia that they are moving. A work-related migration from Estonia to Finland. municipality will become aware of these fam- As a part of the REGI project and in the begin- ilies only after this family isn’t able to solve the ning of 2016, Tallinn University Rakvere College situation by itself. conducted an online survey and focus group Both teachers and social workers propose interviews among social workers and teachers that an early warning system might help to in West-Viru county in North Estonia to gain prevent problems from occurring, but as a pre- insight about the challenges families and com- condition, local governments must be aware munities are facing after one or both parents of of these families. Nowadays teachers receive the family have moved to Finland for work. information from children, not from parents. Social workers pointed out that intensive Local government only intervenes when a emigration during past 7-8 years is definitely a school isn’t able to find adequate solutions, e.g. topic where more research should be conduct- when a child is systematically avoiding his/her ed. They also agreed that a family in which one school duty. of the parents is working abroad is similar to Schools, teachers and social pedagogues a single parent family. Children of these fami- see their role mainly as recognizers of the lies might even be in a better situation because problem and supporters. Usually families are income per family member is larger compared open for help, but this is not always the case. to families where both parents are living and If a family does not accept help or support or working in Estonia. A parent working abroad does not admit something is wrong, the end can provide more, which might mean more result could be that their child drops out of possibilities for travel and practice different school or changes schools. hobbies etc. This is however true only when Local governments in Estonia can convince relations within the family are good. parents to organize parenting in a more effec- Teachers gave examples of families where tive and supervising way or to find alternative one parent moving abroad for working reasons solutions in order to ensure a safe environment, has brought positive effects both for the child e.g. to place their child in a boarding school. and the family. If a parent who is more domi- The other set of problems is connected to nant or more prone to use violence has moved, bureaucratic procedures with a parent who is then the other parent has managed to establish working abroad. Quite often, when family ties a more peaceful environment. Which in turn haven’t been strong enough, families fall apart has had a positive effect on the child’s develop- after a parent has moved abroad. This means ment and success in school. But these exam- dealing with officials, e.g. in order to settle custo- ples tend to be exceptions, rather than the rule. dy issues, understanding and translating official Problems are more serious when both par- documents. It is not uncommon that these mat- ents move and they haven’t arranged an en- ters go beyond an ordinary person’s capabilities vironment that supports their child enough or and hiring a lawyer is not financially possible. there isn’t a caring and supervising adult avail- Social workers also admit that their knowl- able. Social workers described several cases edge and connections with their colleagues where an attentive neighbor has informed the in Finland are insufficient to provide ade- local government about children in that kind of quate support to families who are also facing situation. Social workers said that if enough at- cross-border issues or to counsel them preven- tention and support by an adult isn’t available, tively. Closer co-operation both inside Estonia problems in school quickly appear. It estimat- and between Finland is seen as a necessity. ed that there are approximately over 650 fami- In a way, this last statement is in conflict lies in Estonia where both parents are working with the attitude of social workers and migra- abroad, most of them in Finland. This study, tion specialists in Finland. During the REGI conducted by University of Tartu, pointed out project, we have conducted personal inter- similar pros and cons of the social workers of views where these specialists state that they West-Viru county. don’t see Estonians as a problematic migrant Better income, job security and attitude to- group, since they adapt to Finnish society wards people in general are among the main quicker than people from other countries. This reasons why Estonians move to Finland. For sentiment can be fortified by a study conduct- that they are willing to tolerate a wide spectrum ed by the Bank of Finland, which showed that of inconveniences ranging from travelling to Estonians find employment easier than other long work days. This on the other hand quite migrants. According to our experience, Esto- often has a strong impact on family ties. nians in Finland don’t feel the same way. One of the key obstacles in solving these Last autumn we conducted a small sur- kind of problems is that an up-to-date and vey among Estonians living in the Turku area. 47 There were 92 respondents, 73% of whom were of being able to cope. The survey was probably women. The majority (56%) of the respondents taken by those who are active and doing well. were 26–50 years old and in Finland mainly Estonians are more likely to keep quiet about for work. The survey was supplemented with a failures and difficulties. group interview of 16 Estonians. The Estonians During the REGI project, we have found in the group were all employed and had been that closer cooperation between Estonia’s and living in Finland for over four years. The survey Finland’s social authorities is an absolute ne- respondents had a lot of experience of living cessity to map issues that work-related mi- in Finland; 72% had been living in Finland for grants and their families are facing.