Sharp Increase in Illegal Immigrants

The number of illegal immigrants in Finland is on a sharp rise, according to a report in the newspaper Keskisuomalainen.

The paper says that officials are aware of at least 3,800 people who have illegally taken up residence in the country during the first six months of the year. This is three times as many as during the same period of last year.

Police estimate that about 8,000 people will be caught living illegally in Finland this year. Last year 5,400 were apprehended. Two years ago that figure was only about 2,000.

Of the number of illegal immigrants identified by police so far this year, 3,200 have now filed applications for asylum. Police say that the majority of people entering the country illegally are from countries plagued by armed conflict such as Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Most turn themselves into the police in order to seek refugee status.

In the majority of cases, illegal immigrants entered Finland by ship or car via another EU member country.

Culled from YLE

Open Letter to the Speaker of the Åland Parliament on Integration

My name is Alieu Khan. I am one of the few African immigrants living on Åland. I moved to the island in April 2008 and since then I have seen myself as part of the community. I have taken part in lot of community initiatives and have been on the radio twice to talk about integration on Åland.

As you already know, the issue of immigration and integration is not well talked about on the island and there exist not many activities to help immigrants integrate easily within the society. In this open letter I would like to discuss with you, my opinion and findings on integration on Åland.

Svenska för Invandrare (SFI):- Language study program for immigrants exist in almost all countries with high concentration of immigrants. The Åland SFI is one that we all have to be proud of you. The teachers are excellent and the students are provided with all reading materials they need. But offering immigrants the opportunity to learn the Swedish language (the official language of the Island) should not be the end. Some of us have finished the different levels of the course but still unable to fit in the workforce. This was the same mistake committed by Sweden and they ended up creating the Yrkessvenska. The Yrkessvenska aims at coaching immigrants who are interested in using their professional talents. A recent report published by the University of Jyväskylä indicated that some immigrants stay longer on the language course because of their uncertainty to secure jobs when they leave the course.

Sweden is now trying to restructure their SFI program to take a more holistic approach to the integration of immigrants. One of their desperate measures is to use incentives to make immigrants value the language program. By January 2010 students who pass the highest level of SFI are eligible to receive 12,000kr.

The SFI program is becoming increasingly popular on Åland. In September 2008, Medis (The institute overseeing it) was unable to enrol all the prospectus students. Unlike the previous years, in the 2008/9 academic year they enrolled two different groups of Svenska 1. The main reason why most of us went to the course is to be able to secure jobs in our lines of work but unfortunately there seems to be little prospects for that.

I think offering traineeship opportunities for graduated students should be a component of the course. As I am writing you this letter, majority of my former classmates are staying home without jobs. Learning the language is important, but again if there is no opportunity to practise it, getting a grip of it becomes rather impossible.

Recently I was chatting with an immigrant from Lebanon, living in Mariehamn and he argued that there are jobs on Åland. He was referring to unskilled jobs. There is a heated debate all over the European Union that immigrants should be encouraged and offered opportunities to fit in the professional workforce. Countries like the UK and Canada has been highly praised for doing much towards this. Åland being a small place with a limited number of immigrants I think we can do a lot!

AMS: - AMS is doing a wonderful job but I think they should reinforce their efforts if they want immigrants in the job force. It’s not to the benefit of immigrants and the State for immigrants to stay without jobs. It is unquestionably clear that when immigrants become inactive in the labour market, their welfare dependency becomes high.

The Kommuns:- The different kummuns, should be encouraged to offer job opportunities to immigrants who are struggling to have a grip of the Swedish language and also to fit themselves in the island’s work force. Recently I applied for a job to work with children in the Eckerö and Finström Kummuns. When I met the lady responsible for applications in Eckerö, I can see the fear in her that I am not an effective Swedish speaker and besides, are the parents prepared to have an immigrant to take care of their children?

Support service: - From my findings there is no immigrant support society on the island. These I came to realise when my marriage was in crises and when I was struggling to gain access to my son. I also came across two immigrant women who badly needed this service but they couldn’t find it anywhere. Few months ago, I was introduced to a young girl in an immigrant family, who was having trouble both at home and school.

The Åland Multicultural Society could be empowered to feel this gap that exists on the island and function just like the Multicultural Women's Resource Center (MONIKA) in Helsinki.

I would like to share a story with you:-

An immigrant woman with a child who was living in Strändnas was having trouble with her neighbour (a young man in his early 20s). He was playing music late in the night, causing them sleepless nights. She told me and a British friend about it and we wanted to meet the young man and try to resolve the problem BUT she begged us not to;

“I don’t want to be in trouble. He can attack me and my son,” she said.

I have also met immigrants who have lived here for more than 5 years, without having a proper understanding of how to obtain the FPA card, how to apply for the Swedish course etc. My boss at my first workplace taxed my salary but he never forwarded it to the tax office.

It would be wonderful if the local government could set up an office, where immigrants can have access to relevant information and seek advice on different matters. I am sure that this office can be useful in helping immigrants to develop their own capacity and take control of their own lives and participate effectively in the society. This can also promote a decent and cordial relationship between immigrants and the local people.

Integration activities: - As far as I know the only state supported integration activities on Åland are the monthly multicultural café (organised by; Åland Peace Institute, Red Cross, Åland Multicultural Society and Café Bönan) and the Iranian New Year festival. I think lot of other activities can be introduced and this can help a lot in bridging the barrier between the immigrants and the local people.

I have established a self help initiative called Hej Åland and with my limited resources I was able to embark on the following;

1. Published a book about my own struggle on the island. It was launched by the Mayor of Mariehamn.
2. Out reach activities: - A. I have been to Lumparland with the Red Cross to talk about HIV/AIDS with the children
B. Together with Save the Children Åland, I was at Strändnas Skola to talk to the students about Africa and Africans on Åland.
C. I was also at the Yrkesskola for a presentation on “being an African on Åland.”
D. Together with Träffpunkt we organised a concert with a Gambian rapper called Mo Hawk. As published by Nya Åland Pub Bastun was full to capacity on that night.

I have many other programs in the pipeline and I would be more than grateful if the government can offer me their support.


Sincerely,


Alieu Khan
Founder-Hej Åland

Åland Sommar Jam off the hook!

I was amazed with the huge number of people that came to Pub Bastun on the 17th July 2009. It was the Åland Summer Jam 2009 organised by Hej Åland and Träffpunkt youths. It was a night that was different from many other nights on the island. The music was exclusively reggae and hip hop.

People started pouring in as early as 21:00 when the guest rapper, Gambia’s own Mo Hawk, was busy sound – checking the instruments before he takes the stage at mid night.

“I like hip hop and this is my chance to enjoy,” said a teenager when he saw me at the entrance.

A local DJ called Johan, started the night by hammering the crowd with some of the best reggae and hip hop tunes you can think of. When DJ Mario from the Energy Sound, Stockholm took over he was also able to keep the crowd going.

“I’m going to give them the best and make them sweat all night,” he said to me shortly before he took charge of the stage.

“Mo Hawk is one of Gambia’s hottest rapper. He is one of the vocalists of the popular Da Fugitivz rap group in Stockholm. Hands together for Mo Hawk!!!” I said introducing him to the crowd, who have never seen him or listened to his music before.

When he started doing his rap the crowd surprisingly went more loud and crazy. Mo Hawk offered an absolutely great performance.

Special thanks to the Träffpunkt, Heidi Öst and all those who supported me in making it happen! More to come…watch out for it!

Click on the link below to watch a bit of the show 

Immigrant Parents Send Teens Away for De-Westernization

Officials say they are learning of an increasing number of cases in which immigrant parents in Finland are forcibly sending teens back to their home countries to de-westernize them.

The Finnish Red Cross as well as social welfare offices say that every year dozens of parents who believe their children are becoming too westernized send their offspring back to African, Asian and Middle Eastern states.

Leena-Kaisa Åberg, head of the refugee and immigration section at the Finnish Red Cross, says school teachers rarely question the sudden absence of students with immigrant backgrounds.

“In some cases sports coaches are the ones who look into these disappearances,” says Åberg.

Authorities say these types of matters often fall beyond their jurisdiction, as parents are responsible for minors.

Janne Kanerva, a legislative counsellor at the Justice Ministry, says it’s not a crime if both parents decide to send their child abroad.

YLE

Men in Finland Facing Increased Sexual Harrasment at Work

One out of eight Finnish men has been sexually harassed by women during the past two years. In the case of under 35-year-olds, the number is one in five. Data published in the syndicated Väli-Suomen newspaper Sunday supplement is based on information from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

International research shows sexual harassment experienced by men has increased in recent years. A police survey reveals one out of five men have experienced sexual harassment at work. One-third of women have experienced sexual harassment in the work place.

Defining and identifying sexual harassment has been problematic. New legislation on equality, which came into force in June, defines harassment as unwanted touching in addition to verbal teasing and licentious gestures.

According to the newspaper report, men find it difficult to report sexual harassment due to their role. It is often the subject of humour because there is always a man who welcoming harassment.

YLE

Mo Hawk to storm the Åland Islands

Talent is great but it is not the only thing you need to become a star.In the absence of dedication and hard work, your talent can be as useless as a chocolate teapot. The Gambian hip hop star, Mo Hawk, has all these and this is why he is waxing more and more strong everyday. On the 17th July 2009, he is travelling to the Åland Islands as the main artist in a program dubbed Åland Summer Jam 2009. This program, which is organised by former What’s On columnist, Alieu Khan, in conjunction with a local youth group, aims at promoting diversity and bringing African and Caribbean music to the doorstep of the islanders.

The Åland Islands is an autonomous region in Finland, situated very close to Sweden. Although reggae and hip hop are popular music on this island, it is hardly played in clubs and pubs. Mo Hawk will unquestionably be the first young African hip hop musician to perform on this popular European Union Island. Speaking to What’s On, the Gambian hip hop star and also sprouting music producer said: “I am glad to be on that island and so happy to support a Gambian brother with his activities.” According to Alieu Khan, the event is expected to attract lot of immigrants living on the island and possibly tourists.

He thanked the youths of Mariehamn city for offering him the opportunity to stage the summer Jam 2009. “I want this to be an annual event and hope it will interest the local people. So the forthcoming one is more like a trial and I am so grateful to Mo Hawk for his cooperation,” said Alieu.

Alieu Khan moved to the Åland Islands 14 months ago and since then he has been involved in lot of community initiatives. In The Gambia, he was the founder and National Coordinator of Children against AIDS. He was popular in student and youth activism and has worked both as a journalist and teacher.

Culled from Daily Observer, Gambia's first and leading daily newspaper

WE APOLOGISE - Indigo Bar & Restaurant

Following the Indigo Bar and Restaurant security guard’s deliberate refusal to let me and a fellow Gambian in, on the night of 5th June, one of the owners of this Mariehamn popular night spot has written to apologise. His name is Stig and in his email he wrote;

“I personally think every human being is equal and that is the policy of Indigo restaurant too.”

He went further to indicate that, as one of the owners of the restaurant he is not racist and when he was living in Sweden his best friends were from Africa, Asia and other developing parts of the world.

Stig quoted Martin Luther King Jnr; “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

I wrote back to accept his apology and assured him that despite how I was been humiliated by the security guard, in the presence of others, I would still continue to patronise them.