The European nation of Denmark has proposed making migrants work 37-hours-a-week in order to collect benefits upon reaching the country.
The proposal was made by the left-wing Social Democrat government and will be voted on by the Danish parliament. It is thought that with support from the right, the motion will pass into law.
The government says that the action must be taken in order to make sure migrants integrate into Danish society. The government says that at present, too many women in particular come to Denmark and then do not work due to cultural stigma from male members of their family. This issue is said to be particularly prominent amongst those coming from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey.
In a statement, the government said:
"There are too many, especially with non-Western backgrounds, who do not have a job. If you come to Denmark, you have to work and support yourself and your family. If one cannot support oneself, one must have a duty to participate and contribute what is equivalent to a regular working week to receive the full welfare benefit."
The proposed law has however been challenged by opposition politicians and activists. Mirka Mozer, who runs an organisation, dedicated to helping migrants, said:
"We have lots of women who are willing to take jobs, including jobs that are 37 hours (per week), but there needs to be more 37-hour jobs. Some certainly fear that their (welfare) benefits will be reduced because they can't get a 37-hour job."
While Denmark has traditionally been a very socially liberal country and very open to migration, there has been a strong clamp-down in recent years. Since 2019, the Social Democrat government has refused to take any new asylum claims and has received widespread public support.
Around 14% of the Danish population are currently migrants.
[h/t: Daily Mail]
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