Following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, approximately 300 Chilean refugees fled to Finland, most if not all of them helped by Tapani Brotherus.

On November 18, 1973, it was reported that the first refugees were departing Santiago and headed to Helsinki.

The head manager Gunnar Rosén made sure that the refugees were taken care of until everyone had a job and an apartment.

[5] 39.1% of Chileans are employed, 13.8% are unemployed and 47.1% are outside the labour force.

[6] Most Chileans are employed as teachers, health care workers, natural science and engineering specialists and housekeepers.