The Refugee Advice Centre and the Refugee Council denounced his observations as prejudiced and populist. They emphasized the fact that refugees arrive in Finland as a result of humanitarian tragedies, not simply to abuse the welfare system.
The organisations note that many people who seek asylum have fled their homelands fearing for their lives, leaving everything behind.
In an interview with the Sunday supplement to syndicated regional papers, Rajamäki suggested abolishing the monthly spending money allowance in order to make asylum less attractive. He asserted that it was enough to provide refugees with housing, food, and health benefits.
Finland is not the first choice for most asylum-seekers. In July, only around 30 percent of asylum seekers were first-time applicants. The rest came to Finland after being rejected in other European Union countries.
Nonetheless, Rajamäki feels that the high number of previously-rejected applicants shows that Finland is too attractive for people who "shop around" for refugee status.
YLE24