Unemployed jobseekers are increasingly being advised to apply for jobs beyond their immediate home areas.
The issue is particularly relevant in places such as the southern city of Lahti, where unemployment remains high.
According to Elina Pylkkänen, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, it is in the broader public interest for workers to be willing to travel further for employment.
Current legislation states that a daily commute of up to one and a half hours can be considered acceptable. However, the law does not clearly specify whether that travel time should be measured using public transport or a private car.
Pylkkänen said wider job searches may be emphasised more strongly in areas with higher unemployment.
Officials stressed that the aim is not to penalise jobseekers.
However, if a jobseeker turns down a formal job offer, they must respond to a request for clarification in order to keep receiving unemployment benefits. In some cases, payments may also be suspended for a fixed period.
Lahti employment director Taisto Tuominen explained that the focus is instead on guidance and encouragement.
"Our primary goal is to encourage people to consider their employment opportunities more broadly, both geographically and professionally," Tuominen summed up.
The Under-Secretary noted that a wider labour market area in future may be needed, but any extension of commuting expectations would require broader public debate.
"The most important thing now is that our economic growth is not hindered by the lack of available labour. Economic growth creates more jobs, and when you get a job, it improves your chances of getting other job opportunities," Pylkkänen added.
She said that transport links and housing availability would need to be considered in any future changes.
