A1 Journal article (refereed)
Essential? COVID-19 and highly educated Africans in Finland’s segmented labour market (2023)
Ndomo, Q., Bontenbal, I., & Lillie, N. A. (2023). Essential? COVID-19 and highly educated Africans in Finland’s segmented labour market. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 43(3/4), 339-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijssp-06-2022-0171
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Ndomo, Quivine; Bontenbal, Ilona; Lillie, Nathan A.
Journal or series: International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
eISSN: 1758-6720
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 20/12/2022
Volume: 43
Issue number: 3/4
Pages range: 339-355
Publisher: Emerald
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ijssp-06-2022-0171
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84649
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to characterise the position of highly educated African migrants in the Finnish labour market and to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on that position.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on the biographical work stories of 17 highly educated African migrant workers in four occupation areas in Finland: healthcare, cleaning, restaurant and transport. The sample was partly purposively and partly theoretically determined. The authors used content driven thematic analysis technique, combined with by the biographical narrative concept of turning points.
Findings
Using the case of highly educated African migrants in the Finnish labour market, the authors show how student migration policies reinforce a pattern of division of labour and occupations that allocate migrant workers to typical low skilled low status occupations in the secondary sector regardless of level of education, qualification and work experience. They also show how the unique labour and skill demands of the COVID-19 pandemic incidentally made these typical migrant occupations essential, resulting in increased employment and work security for this group of migrant workers.
Research limitations/implications
This research and the authors’ findings are limited in scope owing to sample size and methodology. To improve applicability of findings, future studies could expand the scope of enquiry using e.g. quantitative surveys and include other stakeholders in the study group.
Originality/value
The paper adds to the knowledge on how migration policies contribute to labour market dualisation and occupational segmentation in Finland, illustrated by the case of highly educated African migrant workers.
Keywords: COVID-19; migrants; migration policy; labour market
Free keywords: African migrants; Finland; COVID-19; labour market segmentation; migration policy
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- From Strangers to Workers: Skills and EU Labour Market Integration of Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Applicants
- Lillie, Nathan
- European Commission
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1