Integration and hegemonic relationship of labour market inequality : an investigation of immigrants/policy officials perceptions on immigrant's labour inclusion in Jyvaskyla-Finland

Abstract

The aim of the research was to investigate the perceptions of immigrants (students, refugees and others) and public officials, on the value of Finnish economic integration within the broader context of immigrant-host labour relationship. Employing Gramsci theory of Hegemony, this study examined those discursive hegemonies in defining the economic and labour market importance of migration and integration, and how does such "hegemonic definitions" resonate within the views of Non-EU foreign students and other migrants. How does hegemonic labour inequality explicate when certain notions of belonging and identity resonates within labour market inclusions of Immigrants. To understand how perceptions were made, two conceptual variables (Finnish Language and Immigrant Ethnicity) were identified as instruments which influence perceptions towards labour market equality. Datas were collected through administered semi-structured interviews with immigrants and Finns at policy level of administration in Jyvaskyla. Employing rhetorical analysis on research data, result finding shows that perceptions of labour inequality were created differs within immigrant statues. It was difficult to problematized integration policies and framework as a phenomenon resulting to hegemonic labour inequality between Finns and immigrants groups in Jyvaskyla-Finland. However, this study was able to ascertained that, the Finnish integration policies/framework make available certain privileges towards certain immigrant groups (refugees and family-reunion migrants) with exceptions of student immigrants; unconsciously laying a framework under which immigrant groups are unequally integrated into the Jyvaskyla-Finnish labour market. Nevertheless, on the broader scope of multicultural hegemonic encounters, this study was able to problematize that, the desire to maintain their cultural hegemony, certain dominant values (Finnish language and Finnishness in whiteness) were power phenomenon which were unconsciously and consciously employed by the dominant group (labour market institutions) to influence immigrant labour market inclusion. A situation we further conceptualised as hegemonic relationship of labour market inequalities. The implications of the research findings were discussed.