Last Week in Denmark (22.01-28.01) Episode 2 Year 4
The Great Adoption Theft; Simpler rules for non-EU health staff
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
“My dear children, answer me now, answer me now”
Extract from a letter sent by a family from India to Denmark in hope of finding their three children. The DR documentary series “The Great Adoption Theft” (Det store adoptionstyveri) took Denmark by storm. It featured heartbreaking stories of children stolen from their parents by intermediaries through identity forgery for the purpose of making incredible amounts of money. Since 1964, there have been 21,100 international adoptions in Denmark, and the latest unveiled stories put a question mark on all of them.
Over the last decade, there have been multiple scandals related to shady practices in the area of international adoptions. With every scandal, the government responded the same: close adoptions from the country in question, investigate, and provide help to the adopted. No wonder that before closing the adoptions completely, there were barely five countries you could adopt from. However, no one has been brought to justice so far.
Members of the Danish Parliament are asking for an in-depth investigation of the entire adoption area and are putting pressure on the Ministry of Social Affairs to find those who are legally responsible. However, in some cases, those responsible are already dead, like Pastor George, who illegally sent 48 children to Denmark from India in exchange for what would be 4 million DKK today.
Besides international adoptions, discussions around the dinner table have also included the billionaire Østergaard family. Their company, Nordic Waste, has declared bankruptcy after creating a man-made disaster in the form of a contaminated soil landslide on its way to bury an entire town. The Østergaards have so far avoided any responsibility for the clean-up. Now, we taxpayers have to pay 2.2 billion DKK to stop the landslide.
Not only has the family avoided the bill, but they are actually making money from both the clean-up and the bankruptcy. Another company of theirs was handling the clean-up until it was discovered, and Nordic Waste owes 200 million DKK to other companies owned by the family. (Btw, the head of the family, Torben Østergaard-Nielsen, is Denmark's sixth richest man and has a personal fortune of 42 billion DKK.)
As a consequence, the political parties are asking for changes to laws around bankruptcy and the registration of companies. They also propose a new special requirement for economic activities that trigger natural disasters to pay into a special insurance fund. It is definitely a space to watch for entrepreneurs.
That’s it for this week! Thank you for reading, and don’t forget that you have the right to address multiple issues during the same doctor visit. If the family doctor refuses, remind them that they signed a contract with the regional government that stipulates that.
Word of the Week
Jordskred: Landslide. (a) a mass of rock and earth moving suddenly and quickly down a steep slope. (b) the winning of an election with an extremely large number of votes. It is also used to point out an abrupt and decisive change (e.g. jordskredsvalg is used when a distribution of votes has major changes compared to the previous one).
Quiz
Danish Politics HQ
Weekly political overview
As of July 1, 2024, international workers on the “researcher” and “fast-track” residency schemes will no longer face the requirement that their wages must be paid to a Danish bank account. It will also be possible to extend short-term stays under the fast-track scheme.
The Ministry of Defense will spend 13 million DKK on a 10-week advertising campaign to convince more people to seek employment within the armed forces. In 2022, 2000 people left the armed forces. Today, 20,000 people are employed there.
All parliamentary parties agreed to introduce dental care subsidies for more cancer patient groups and to simplify access. From July 1, 2024, the cancer patients will only have to show, via measurement, that they have reduced saliva secretion to qualify.
There has also been consensus in Parliament regarding the compensation for businesses and cultural institutions in the event of a future pandemic. The government will decide on the level of compensation based on the damage done to the economy.
Drama in the Aalborg City Council. The former “blue” parties (Venstre, Konservative, and Danmarksdemokraterne) refused to keep a minute of silence for the victims in Gaza during a recent city council meeting.
Several political parties are asking the Royal House to change their guidelines around receiving gifts from businesses. At the moment, they can receive large gifts and keep them secret.
Focus
Simpler rules for non-EU health professionals: The majority of Parliament agreed to introduce 16 recommendations regarding health staff (SOSU, nurses, doctors, and dentists), which were proposed by the taskforce committee on international labor. There is no clear date for when the new law will be implemented.
The authorization fee will be the same for everyone.
Non-EU health professionals with an education finished in the EU (doctors, dentists, nurses, or midwives) can receive authorization on the basis of that education.
Non-EU nurses that do not receive the authorization to work as nurses can instead obtain a residence permit to work as a SOSU (social and health assistant).
Removal of the work permit requirement (arbejdstilladelse) for health staff.
Inclusion of the SOSU on the positive list (where you don’t need a certain minimum salary to obtain a residence permit as a non-EU).
Quota of 1000 yearly residence permits for SOSUs.
Special Danish language course designed for healthcare staff, and the removal of the time limit during which you need to pass the minimum level of Danish.
Evaluation employment (evalueringsansættelse) at the start of the authorization process for the healthcare staff.
Danish Economics HQ
Time recording for employees: From July 1, 2024, employers are obliged to record the working time of their workers. Companies will need to introduce procedures on how they document work time and what will be considered work time. The new law should ensure the employees’ well-being in regards to working overtime, time off, and breaks.
10.3% average increase in the price of public transport: This is the highest annual price increase since 2008. In the last 15 years, the cost of public transport has increased by 35.3%. In comparison, the cost of driving your own car increased by 23% over the same period.
25% cheaper fruits and vegetables: Until January 31, at Coop365 and afterwards during February at Lidl (if you are a Lidl Plus customer). The idea is to promote a healthier lifestyle, as customers started to opt out of fruits and vegetables due to the higher prices. With this experiment, they also want to convince the government to consider a lower VAT rate for fruits and vegetables, like it is in other EU member states.
Over the next three months, the prices for food and drinks are expected to drop: 55% of companies within these industries confirmed an intention to reduce prices over the next quarter.
At the same time, expect a general reduction in the price of cars. 45% of retailers reported that warehouses are at capacity and the inventory is too large. They will be forced to reduce prices to increase demand this quarter.
The lowest level of national debt for Denmark ever recorded: The debt has fallen to under 300 billion DKK (294 billion DKK), which represents 10.5% of Denmark’s GDP. Why? State budget surplus, high employment, and high consumer spending. Denmark has a low level of debt, a sound debt structure, and a robust economy with a stable outlook. This results in an AAA-rating. The central government’s total financing costs are kept down as investors do not demand a premium for the risk they take on when buying Danish government bonds.
McDonald’s Denmark launched a fiction mini-series aimed at young adults: Under the name “Everything changes,” the mini-series is built around a young, newly-hired employee at McDonald’s. The purpose of the investment is to promote McDonald's as a workplace for young people.
Entrepreneur’s corner
Do you want to take your business to the next level but can’t afford to pay a full-time salary? Check out the SMV:Vaekstpilot program. You can use it to hire a “growth pilot” and cover 50% of their salary for six months. What is a “growth pilot”? Someone who can upgrade or help your business through a difficult time.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
Insights into the Danish way of life
In the run-up to Fastelavn, Fastelavnsboller is the word on the street. However, the cold weather means Danes are still enjoying indoor gatherings with games, arts, and crafts. For families in Denmark, board games are a big thing. Some would venture to say this is a key socializing activity you might share with your Danish sweetheart’s family when introduced. A couple of the all-time Danish favorites are Ludo, UNO, and Bezzawizzer (a quiz game). However, the possibilities are never-ending. If you don’t have many options at home, you can find board game cafés – brætspilscaféer – all around the country. Some of the best known spots are Bastard Café (Copenhagen), Spilcaféen (Aarhus and Aalborg), Dice ‘n Drinks (Aalborg), and Papas Papbar (Odense).
For Danes of all ages, arts and crafts are also a big source of entertainment during the colder months. Due to the rising popularity of crocheting and knitting, businesses keep creating spaces where people can gather and chat while occupying their hands. In big cities around the country, activity cafés for ceramics painting, jewelry making, knitting, and other creative hobbies are fully booked with groups of young friends, families, and even father-son duos.
With a growing community of internationals, these spaces for play and art are increasingly becoming a key resource for socializing, doing group activities, and meeting new people. Maybe this week you will feel inspired to reach out to that new Danish friend-to-be of yours, pitch a fun afternoon at home or at an activity café, and feel closer to the local culture.
Explainer
Personal bankruptcy vs. company bankruptcy: An individual or a company goes bankrupt when they are unable to pay their debts. For individuals, bankruptcy means that your valuables will be sold and your debt restructured, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you will become debt-free. For companies, bankruptcy means that everything will be sold, the creditors will get what they can, and the story ends there. Well, you might end up being banned from starting other companies for 1-3 years.
As a company owner, it is your obligation to keep an eye on the relationship between costs and income, as you are required by law to go bankrupt if you pass the “point of no return," where there is no prospect of getting enough income to catch up with the debts. If it’s proven that you have continued operations after the “point of no return," you can become personally liable for the debts.
What is the procedure for declaring bankruptcy? First, make sure your accounting is up-to-date to avoid being temporarily banned from starting other companies. Then, get a court date to submit your bankruptcy application (you can participate physically or via telephone, but make sure to be present somehow, as failure to show up leads to jail time). Finally, a curator will be assigned to take over your company, including access to the company bank account. The curator might already take over while you are in court proceedings to ensure no assets are removed from the location, for example.
You have the right to buy the company assets from the curator (especially because they will have a low price as they need to sell fast).
A bankruptcy procedure can last two years or longer.
Weekly overview
Is your surname Jensen or know someone with that last name? Well, you’re not alone, as every 4 out of 10 Danes have a surname ending in -sen. In Denmark, “Jensen” is among the top three Danish surnames that have been around for over 100 years, alongside “Nielsen” and “Hansen”. However, in a recent study by Statistics Denmark, the prevalence of these classic Danish surnames ending in -sen, has decreased from 61% to 43% over the past 30 years. The surge in -sen surnames started in 1826 when the Names Act mandated fixed surnames for everyone. But over time, changes in marriage laws and a 2006 law that allows one to use their middle name as a surname contributed to the decline in -sen surnames. Despite the decline, researchers believe -sen surnames will not disappear entirely.
Alcohol-free beer is gaining popularity, with Danish breweries selling 11.5% more non-alcoholic beers last year compared to 2022. Sales increased because of improvements in the quality of the drinks and a rising health-conscious trend. Last year, members of the Danish Brewers’ Association produced 68 types of alcohol-free beers, which included Pilsners and India Pale Ales. A non-alcoholic stout is still in the making and is highly requested by Danish consumers.
3 out of 4 working fathers are choosing to take their 11 weeks of non-transferable paternity leave, a survey by Megafon for Mødrehjælpen has revealed. A new law passed for children born on or after August 2, 2022 states that fathers (or the co-parent) will now have the option to take up to 11 weeks of leave, compared with only two weeks previously. The survey also revealed that most fathers do not utilize the leave due to financial reasons, family experts have said the leave will allow the father or co-parent to foster a better relationship with their newborn and create a balanced sense of attachment for the child. Parental leave benefits differ for single parents or for parents who do not live together; visit here for more information.
The Danish short film, “Ridder Lykke,” has secured an Oscar nomination in the Live Action Short Film category, DR reported. Directed by Lasse Lyskjær Noer and produced by Jalabert Productions, the 24-minute film explores the theme of grief.
A century-old Dane got a royal surprise when one of her birthday greetings came from King Frederik X himself. Hailing from Nordjylland, Martha Kirstine Stieper turned 100 on January 23. Having seen three kings and a queen sit on the throne over her life, Martha told TV2 that she was thrilled to be the first to receive the congratulatory letter signed by the King. In Denmark, citizens who turn 100, 105, and 110 years old tend to receive congratulatory messages from the Royal House.
Internationals in Danish media
J-Popcon (Denmark’s biggest festival for Japanese pop culture) is back: If you are a fan of anime, manga, cosplay, manhwa, J and K-dramas, etc., then you should be at Øksnehallen (Copenhagen) February 16-18.
European Union HQ
European weekly overview
Countering far-right extremism in Germany. Germany's Constitutional Court ruled to cut state funding for Die Heimat, an extreme-right party, referencing its rejection of democracy and Nazi-inspired ideology. The decision fuels the debate on legal actions against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), with discussions now centering on potentially revoking AfD's state funding. The ruling is based on a 2017 constitutional amendment, which stands to safeguard the free democratic basic order. Earlier this week, the leader of the right-wing AfD called for a referendum on Germany’s EU membership.
EU vs. Hungary! European leaders threaten to employ Article 7, the most serious political sanction, against Hungary. This would suspend Hungary's voting rights if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán obstructs the agreement at the upcoming summit, where a €50 billion aid package to Ukraine is to be approved.
Turning point for NATO! Turkey has finally approved the ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession. This only leaves Hungary to cast the final vote and approve Sweden’s NATO membership. Given the stakes, the pressure is growing.
Accelerating innovation. On another note, the EU has unveiled a long-awaited plan to invest billions of euros in AI startups, aiming to enhance Europe's competitiveness against countries like the US and China in the race for technological innovation.
Rights
You have the right to buy insurance from anywhere in the European Union: You can therefore shop around the European market for the best deals on insurance products (for example, life insurance, household insurance and car insurance). Note! Idea for tech entrepreneurs: create an EU-wide platform to compare insurance offers, as we are not obliged to buy Danish insurance products.
Opportunities
Free trip to the European Parliament in Brussels: Young people between the ages of 16-35 who are EU residents can go to the European Parliament on April 12-13 for a capacity-building event. Travel and accommodations will be covered for you. Limited spots! Apply asap here.
Announcement Board
Odense, February 4, 14:00-16:00: Chat in Danish – Experience the Danish Railway Museum exhibitions about railway history and practice your Danish at the same time. Entrance is free.
On January 31, you can buy one of the 7,500 supplementary numbers for the Royal Run 2024: This year, you can run together with the King in Brønderslev, Aarhus, Fredericia, and Copenhagen/Frederiksberg.
International media about Denmark HQ
Denmark’s Former Queen Margrethe To Get “The Crown” Drama Treatment (Deadline)
Archaeologists say single word inscribed on iron knife is oldest writing ever found in Denmark (CBS News)
Last Week in Denmark’s Universe
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Great Article Pratik