Conference: Labour market integration of immigrant women and mothers – Nordic perspectives

Key speakers:

Kaisa Kepsu, Senior Adviser, Nordic Welfare Centre

Justyna Bell, Senior Researcher, Oslo Metropolitan University

Nilay Kilinç, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Helsinki

Alyssa Bittner-Gibbs, NMEF Representative, Åland Islands

Kaisa Kepsu: A new focus on migrant women in the Nordic labour market

Kaisa Kepsu, Senior Adviser at the Nordic Welfare Center, highlighted the need for focused initiatives to improve labour market integration for migrant women in the Nordic region.  Addressing the gap between native-born and migrant populations, Kepsu presented new research that underscores the disproportionate challenges faced by migrant women, particularly those from non-EU countries. She noted that while there is a general employment gap between men and women across the region, the gap is significantly larger for migrant women, particularly those with lower education levels or non-EU citizenship.

There is a clear need for initiatives that better address the integration challenges of migrant women.

Kepsu pointed out that the gender gap in employment is evident across all Nordic countries, with men working more frequently than women, even among native-born populations. However, Finland stands as an exception, where native-born women have a higher employment rate than men. Despite this, migrant women—especially those with children or foreign backgrounds—experience vulnerable labor market positions: their jobs are more likely to be unstable, with fewer permanent contracts and fewer hours worked. “There is a clear need for initiatives that better address the integration challenges of migrant women,” Kepsu said.

There is a clear need for initiatives that better address the integration challenges of migrant women, noting that many existing support programs have been predominantly accessed by men. However, this trend is starting to shift, as more initiatives now focus on empowering migrant women to enter the labor market and gain economic independence.

Kaisa Kepsu also pointed out the work of the Nordic cooperation project, Integration Norden, which aims to improve integration in the Nordic countries. This includes disseminating research, sharing best practices, and facilitating connections across the region. A notable example of this is the Nordic Migrants Expert Forum, which was established three years ago to bring migrant experts into policy discussions. The forum advises the Nordic Council of Ministers on how to improve integration efforts and ensure that migrant voices are heard.

Justyna Bell: The vulnerability of Ukrainian refugees in Norway: A gendered perspective

The integration of Ukrainian refugees in Norway continues to face significant challenges. Justyna Bell highlighted the temporary and uncertain nature of their status, pointing out that instability is both created and maintained by policies and practices that often place the burden of integration on the migrants themselves. “Precarity is produced through political, economic, and sociocultural processes, especially through othering and racialization,” Bell explained, emphasizing that migration creates multiple vulnerabilities—affecting safety, health, employment, and family life.

A key issue discussed was the temporary protection granted to Ukrainian refugees, which constantly hangs over their future. In September 2024, Norway narrowed its eligibility for protection, allowing it only for Ukrainians from areas deemed unsafe. As Bell put it, “Temporary status hangs above them at all times. It’s very difficult to make any long-term plans in this situation of being at risk of return.”

Gendered dynamics were also highlighted, with Ukrainian women facing a double burden. While they benefit from relatively favorable access to employment and language programs, their caregiving roles often limit their ability to fully integrate into the labour market. “Women migrants with caregiving responsibilities are particularly vulnerable,” Bell noted, pointing to the wage gap and career barriers faced by migrant women compared to their male counterparts.

If you’re employed, you’re assumed to be integrated. But this is a simplistic view of what integration really means.

The narrow focus on labour market participation as the primary measure of integration also excludes many refugees, particularly women, from fully engaging in their new societies. “If you’re employed, you’re assumed to be integrated. But this is a simplistic view of what integration really means,” Bell argued.

Ultimately, Justyna Bell called for a more inclusive and long-term approach to integration that goes beyond labour market entry and addresses the intersectional vulnerabilities of refugees. “True integration is about more than just the labour market; it’s about building community and long-term trust,” she concluded, stressing that successful integration requires effort from both the refugees and the host society.

In the case of Ukrainian refugees, the evolving situation in Norway underscores the need for policies that support families, childcare, and community-building, while also addressing the unique challenges faced by migrant women.

Nilay Kilinç: Barriers to labour market integration for migrant women in Finland

Nilay Kilinç began by sharing key highlights from Island in Feyrouz Nouh’s absence. Fairouz’s research highlights the challenges faced by Muslim women in Iceland’s labour market, where they navigate both economic opportunities and cultural barriers. While Iceland’s policies allow Muslim women to gain independence and challenge traditional gender roles, they also face discrimination and stereotyping due to their faith and religious practices. This underscores the potential for Nordic countries to collaborate on inclusive policies that support people of all faiths.

Nilay Kilinç proceeded with her own presentation, drawing from her research. In Finland, highly skilled Turkish women face significant barriers to labour market integration, despite their qualifications. The employment rate for third-country national women in Finland was just 41% in 2020, compared to 72% for native Finnish women. These women often find themselves in low-wage service jobs due to visa restrictions and gendered discrimination. Despite Finland’s reputation for gender equality, migrant women, especially those from the Middle East and North Africa, face significantly different employment outcomes.

This is essentially deportation, undermining the very values of gender equality that attracted them here.

Many highly skilled migrant women are forced into dependency on their spouses for residence permits, as employment opportunities are often limited. As the research shows, some Turkish women arrive in Finland with high expectations, only to encounter barriers to career progress. Even after years of retraining or further education, many remain stuck in low-paying jobs or forced to leave the workforce altogether, particularly after having children.

The situation is worsened by proposed changes to immigration laws, which could force migrants to leave Finland if they lose their jobs. “This is essentially deportation, undermining the very values of gender equality that attracted them here,” Kilinç notes.

Nilay Kilinç argues that labour market integration should not just focus on securing employment but on career advancement, equal pay, and fair treatment. For migrant women, these factors are often overlooked, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and dependency.

As the research shows, migrant women in Finland—like those from Turkey—often feel trapped between their aspirations for a better life and the structural barriers that prevent them from achieving it. Finland’s reputation for gender equality must be extended to all women, including migrants. True integration means providing equal opportunities, fair treatment, and the ability for migrant women to contribute meaningfully to society.

In conclusion, to achieve meaningful integration, Nordic countries need to adopt policies that address both the individual and structural challenges faced by migrant women, ensuring they have the same opportunities for career progress and empowerment as their native counterparts.

Alyssa Bittner-Gibbs: The journey of a highly educated migrant woman in the Nordic countries

Alyssa Bittner Gibbs, a prominent voice in the Åland Islands, shared a deeply personal story at conference. With a background in higher education and political science, she reflected on her journey as a highly educated migrant woman navigating the challenges of the Nordic job market.

Originally from rural Pennsylvania, Alyssa first arrived in Sweden as a Rotary exchange student in 1998. Despite her academic qualifications and fluency in Swedish, she encountered a harsh reality when attempting to integrate professionally in Sweden in 2013. “None of it matters,” she recalled being told about her experience in the U.S. education system. Even with a master’s degree from Stockholm University and over a decade of experience working at prestigious institutions like Boston University and Harvard, she faced a disheartening response from Swedish employers who dismissed her credentials.

Alyssa’s story took an unexpected turn when she moved to Åland during the pandemic. In a smaller community, she found support in an unlikely way—through personal connections. “The success I’ve had here has been down to just four people who saw my potential and gave me the space to contribute,” she said. In Åland, a small but tight-knit community, her integration journey was accelerated by the willingness of local leaders to listen and make room for her voice. She now serves on multiple boards, including the Åland Nature and Environment Council, and is a key member of the Åland Integrations Council.

The success I’ve had here has been down to just four people who saw my potential and gave me the space to contribute.

Alyssa’s story emphasizes the importance of visibility and personal connections in the integration process. “Small communities can actually foster belonging more quickly,” she said, noting that in Åland, every interaction carries more weight. She also stressed the importance of language as an asset, explaining that while she could speak Swedish, not being fluent in Finnish initially hindered her job prospects in the rest of Finland.

Through her experience, Alyssa made a powerful call to action: Nordic countries must move beyond seeing immigrants through the lens of statistics and rules. Instead, there needs to be greater focus on human connections and individual potential. “There’s a lot of untapped talent here, and we need to stop making it someone else’s responsibility,” she urged.

Her journey underscores a crucial point—integrating migrants, especially women, requires more than just a set of policies. It requires empathy, support, and a recognition of the unique experiences and skills that each migrant brings to the table.

Conclusion: Moving beyond statistics to human-centered integration

The discussion following the presentations highlighted the importance of personal stories in understanding the challenges of migrant integration. While data and statistics are crucial, they do not fully capture the individual experiences behind them. Participants emphasized that a more inclusive approach to integration is needed—one that takes into account the diverse experiences of migrants across the Nordic countries and recognizes the intersectional barriers that affect women, including transgender individuals.

In closing, the session called for continued dialogue and collaboration among Nordic countries to improve integration policies and practices. It was clear that achieving meaningful labour market integration for migrant women requires not only changes in policy but also a commitment to creating supportive, inclusive environments where migrants can thrive.