“A sense of community starts with a coffee break”

— I was a 13-year-old Kurdish boy when I arrived in Finland as a quota refugee from Iran in 1999. Now, nearly 25 years later, I know Finnish society and working life well, but I still remember the initial challenges with language and culture.

I have been a member of PAM for 16 years, and last autumn I was elected to the union’s council. Trade unions provide valuable support and security, but workers with immigrant backgrounds may have difficulty finding their way to PAM. The biggest barrier might be the language, but cultural differences also play a role.

Immigrants’ integration into workplaces starts with small actions, such as inviting a new employee to join a coffee break.

In Kurdish culture, community is very important. It’s essential for us that everyone is included—whether it’s in everyday life or during celebrations. This is something Finns could learn from. Immigrants’ integration into workplaces starts with small actions, such as inviting a new employee to join a coffee break. Even if there isn’t a shared language yet, it’s important to show that they are part of the community.

In Finland, people are used to being politely distant and even a bit shy, but when it comes to welcoming immigrants, courage is key. I encourage everyone to actively reach out to newcomers.

We need new and different ways to reach immigrants.

To reach immigrants, new and different methods are needed. For example, PAM representatives could attend the festivals and events of different immigrant groups. Messages spread through the community, making the union’s activities more familiar and accepted.

In working life, immigrants are increasingly needed. It’s important for us to understand that they want to work and be accepted as part of the community.