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Estonian Migrants’ Aspiration for Social Citizenship in Finland: Embracing the Finnish Welfare State and Distancing from the ‘Non-Deserving’

Author

Listed:
  • Rolle Alho

    (Swedish School of Social Science, University of Helsinki)

  • Markku Sippola

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere)

Abstract

The consequences of immigration for the welfare states has received increased attention by scholars and in political and media debates in Europe. However, migrants’ subjective understandings of the welfare state remains an understudied research topic. This study aims to address the topic by analysing the question in the Nordic context by looking at Estonian labour migrants’ understandings of the Finnish welfare state. Our data consists of 51 biographical interviews with Estonian migrants in Finland. Based on the interviews, we traced interviewees’ attitudes towards the Finnish welfare state. In Finland, Estonians aspire for social citizenship, which in their case refers to gaining economic welfare and embracing Finnish welfare state institutions. This aspiration for social citizenship is revealed in Estonians’ ‘identity talk’, which takes two forms: embracement and distancing. By embracement, we mean their positive sentiments towards the institutions and norms of the Finnish welfare state. The interviewees highlight their participation in the labour market, diligent payment of taxes, justified use of the welfare benefits and services offered by the Finnish state, and membership in trade unions and unemployment funds. The interviewees underline the link between work and the deservingness of welfare benefits. They describe themselves as deserving, which, they claim, should put them on par with native Finns. Moreover, by means of distancing, the interviewed Estonians distinguish themselves from ‘others’—in their opinion—‘non-deserving’ migrants who ‘do not contribute’ to the Finnish welfare state.

Suggested Citation

  • Rolle Alho & Markku Sippola, 2019. "Estonian Migrants’ Aspiration for Social Citizenship in Finland: Embracing the Finnish Welfare State and Distancing from the ‘Non-Deserving’," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 341-359, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:20:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s12134-018-0606-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0606-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Markku Sippola, 2013. "The Awkward Choices Facing the Baltic Worker: Exit or Loyalty," Journal of Baltic Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(4), pages 451-473, December.
    2. Kristi Anniste & Tiit Tammaru, 2014. "Ethnic differences in integration levels and return migration intentions," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 30(13), pages 377-412.
    3. Shiri Noy & Koen Voorend, 2016. "Social Rights and Migrant Realities: Migration Policy Reform and Migrants’ Access to Health Care in Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 605-629, May.
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