“Entering the labour market is only the first step. We need to talk about equal pay and career advancement” 

Policies in Place: Progress and Persistent Challenges

Finland has implemented a range of policies to support migrant integration. The Finnish Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (2010), for example, mandates individualized integration plans for newcomers, addressing gender-specific challenges through services like language training and childcare. Entrepreneurial programs further aim to empower migrant women by offering mentorship and access to microloans.

However, Dr. Kılınç emphasizes that policy implementation often falls short. “The issue lies less in creating new policies and more in holding individuals and organizations accountable when practices fail to align with existing laws, such as anti-discrimination laws,” she notes, highlighting structural discrimination and subtle workplace biases as ongoing obstacles.

Labour Market Integration as a Distinct Process

Dr. Kılınç argues that labour market integration should be treated as a distinct category, separate from general integration efforts. “Finland’s two-path system directs migrants outside the labour market to municipal integration services. Directing them instead to employment services provided by the Employment and Economic Development Office, as is done for those already in the labour market, would make the process more employment-oriented,” she suggests.

She advocates for increased national funding for NGOs that focus on the needs of different migrant groups and tangible outcomes, particularly for highly skilled women. Upcoming reforms to Finland’s integration legislation, expected in 2025, aim to address gaps for groups like stay-at-home parents and international spouses. Dr. Kılınç envisions greater collaboration among municipal authorities, NGOs, educational institutions, and companies to create targeted training programs leading to employment opportunities for highly skilled migrant women.

Entering the labour market might be the first step, but labour market integration does not end there. It’s a process, she clarifies. We need to talk about equal pay, career advancement, and occupational well-being as well. For highly skilled migrant women to achieve true integration, organizations must provide equal opportunities and fair treatment along the way.

Bridging the Pay and Career Advancement Gap

Despite Finland’s reputation for gender equality, significant barriers persist. Gender imbalances in the labour market and a notable pay gap affect all women, regardless of nationality. “Women are more likely to be directed to care-related sectors and, in almost all sectors, earn significantly less than their male counterparts. In managerial positions, disparities are even starker; male managing directors earn €11,727 monthly compared to €8,928 for women,” Dr. Kılınç explains.

Dr. Kılınç advocates for mandatory pay audits and transparency measures to address pay disparities. She also emphasizes that migrant women face a “double disadvantage.”

“Gender pay gaps affect all women, but migrant women are in an even more vulnerable position. It is important to implement trained HR teams, advisory boards, and watchdog organisations where migrant women can receive career guidance and safely report if they experience unequal payment or discrimination at the workplace,” she warns.

Career advancement is another overlooked issue. Many highly skilled migrant women who are third-country nationals accept roles below their qualifications to sustain residence permits, leading to frustration. “The lack of support for career advancement fosters the glass ceiling effect, negatively impacting psychological well-being and workplace motivation,” she explains. Transparent promotion criteria, diversity training for managers, and mentorship programs are among her recommendations to counteract these challenges.

Companies must prioritize diversity and appoint women from various backgrounds to leadership positions, setting an example for others, Dr. Kılınç underscores.

Dependency on Spouses: A Structural Vulnerability

Until recently, international women’s migration paths to Finland were predominantly through marriage; however, in the last two decades, more women migrate to Finland for study and work. For those who migrate through marriage, Dr. Kılınç highlights the risks of dependency on partners, advocating for programs that empower women to establish independent lives. “Governments must collaborate with municipalities, NGOs, companies, universities, and civil society to create support systems that prioritize economic independence and social integration,” she asserts.

She notes the importance of building meaningful and supportive social ties for women who migrated to Finland through marriage. “Entering the job market and being economically independent is important. However, it is equally important for women to establish their social ties in Finland. The quality of life outside of work is vital for women to feel empowered. Municipalities can financially support local cafés, public libraries, arts and culture organisations to organise projects and social gatherings aimed at including international women.”

A Two-Way Street: Nordic Cooperation and Integration

Dr. Kılınç emphasizes that integration is a shared responsibility. “Integration is a two-way street,” she asserts. While migrants must engage with their new communities, host societies must also address systemic barriers.

The “integration paradox” complicates these efforts. Even migrants who achieve language proficiency and citizenship may struggle to find equitable job opportunities. “Proficiency in the local language is not enough when job postings require mother-tongue fluency. Or if an individual naturalized and acquired Finnish citizenship, we would assume that they would be treated as equals. However, we see that this is not always the case,” Dr. Kılınç explains, calling for reforms to employment criteria and effective programs to tackle systemic discrimination.

Retention is another critical element in Nordic talent-attraction strategies.

While attracting global talent is essential, equal effort must be made to retain these individuals by creating an environment that upholds dignity, fairness, and opportunity, she says.

Personal Reflections: Integration as Belonging

Drawing on her personal journey, Dr. Kılınç reflects on the importance of social networks and a sense of belonging in successful integration. Having lived in Sweden, the UK, and now Finland, she credits supportive colleagues, friends, and academic communities for her positive experience.

“Building strong social networks and connecting with the place through nature and cultural activities were vital steps in making Finland feel like home,” she shares, emphasizing the need for both structural and sociocultural integration.

Rethinking Integration: Toward Inclusive Policies

Looking ahead, Dr. Kılınç urges Nordic countries to evaluate how stricter immigration policies may influence integration efforts. “Integration policies are deeply tied to immigration politics and discourses, and structural barriers remain the biggest challenge. Strict residence permit and citizenship rules, like Finland’s new proposals, place immense pressure on newcomers and existing international professionals. My research findings show that those who acquired permanent residence permits or citizenship experience more stability in their lives. They can make more grounded and effective decisions related to their education, career, family, and overall integration efforts.”

Her final message is a call for collaboration and shared responsibility. “Nordic cooperation offers a unique platform for countries to learn from one another, building shared values while respecting diverse histories and experiences,” she concludes. By addressing structural barriers and fostering solidarity, Finland and its Nordic neighbours can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for highly skilled migrants.

I believe in the power of solidarity. In Nordic societies, we can focus on how to tap into the creative human potential of each of us, how to value and make room for highly educated migrant women’s skills, expertise, and talents.

Dr. Kılınç’s vision for the future is one of equality, opportunity, and mutual respect. With the right policies and implementation, Finland has the potential to become a model of integration—a place where the contributions of migrant women are valued, and where each member of society has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and dignified life.