Nordic citizens kicked out for going on the dole
Despite criticism, Denmark continues to expel Nordic citizens because they receive welfare It is not only people from developing countries who are repatriated from Denmark. Since 2004, the Danish state has expelled 46 citizens from other Nordic countries for receiving...
It is not only people from developing countries who are repatriated from Denmark. Since 2004, the Danish state has expelled 46 citizens from other Nordic countries for receiving welfare payments.
Denmark is the only Nordic country to deport fellow Scandinavians for simply going on the dole, reports Politiken newspaper.
Last year alone, ten Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic citizens were forced to leave the country while three Nordic citizens were deported in the first four months of 2010.
The practice has been criticised by Denmark’s neighbours. Speaking to Politiken, Hans Wallmark who is a member of the Nordic Council’s Citizens and Consumer Rights Committee for the Swedish governing party Moderaterne called it ‘strange’ that Danish policy was different than the rest of the Nordic countries.
Wallmark fears Denmark’s unilateral approach will damage integration within the region. ‘It is important to protect the principles of free movement,’ he said.
The Nordic Council, which promotes collaboration between Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Sweden, will now examine the legitimacy of the Danish deportation policy.
However, Birthe Rønn Hornbæk, the immigration minister, insists that Denmark has the right to continue with its policy.