The purpose of the study was to analyse the services provided to asylum seekers in Finland and the costs incurred in this process. The study is part of a state-wide research project titled ”Operative profitability of the reception of asylum seekers” and a supplementary project to pursue the Ministry of Labour project on the productisation and quality of reception services, which was launched in 2002.

The empirical data consisted of four sub-sets of data: a survey inquiry presented to literate asylum seekers aged over 18 in the four most common language groups (Albanian, Arabian, Serbo-Croat and Russian) (N=395) and a structured questionnaire presented to a social worker, public health nurse and senior counsellor at each of 14 reception centres. The data were analysed with the SPSS for Windows 12.0 statistical software by calculating absolute and percentage distributions and by cross-tabulating the results. The results are presented as tables and graphical diagrams. The responses to open-ended questions were analysed with content analysis.

Ministry of Labour. Labour Policy Studies no. 292.

The statutory services to be provided at the reception of asylum seekers are available in all reception centres. There are, however, differences in the content and quantity of services. There are also differences in costs. Asylum seekers have a remarkable number of psychosocial symptoms, and it is important to develop preventive psychosocial support, in order to minimise mental health care costs. From the viewpoint of quality, the greatest need for development was seen in the arrangement of counselling services and opportunities to work and study.

Quality development must be continued, and the comparison of reception centres for the availability and quality of activities as well as cost effectiveness should be developed further. Reception centres should also develop their reporting and documentation systems in such a way as to provide not only total costs but also cost breakdown. Problems are currently due to the different ways of recording costs by the different agencies maintaining reception centres (municipality, state, Finnish Red Cross).

Key words: asylum seeker, immigrant, migration, reception centre, costs

Ministry of Labour
P.O. Box 34
00023 Government
Finland
Phone: + 358 10 60 4001
kirjaamo.tyoministerio@mol.fi
http://www.mol.fi

01/11/2005

Riitta Lukkaroinen

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Asylum seekers, Refugees