Employment Minister Mette Frederiksen says an upcoming reform on social benefits will be based on \u00bbfairness and duty\u00ab but warned that benefits would be reduced for certain groups, writes Seven59.dk.<\/p>\n
\u00bbDenmark needs a system of social assistance based on the principle that it\u2019s beneficial for everybody to work and hold down a job\u00ab, she says. <\/p>\n
\u00bbThose who are ready to work will be given six months to find a job themselves and if they don\u2019t the local authority will find work for them, such as cleaning and gardening for pensioners or snow clearance.\u00ab<\/p>\n
At the same time, young people under the age of 30 will be offered an education, not social benefits, if they can\u2019t find a job for themselves and will receive the same amount of money as students claiming a study grant (SU).<\/p>\n
The Danish Employers\u2019 Confederation (Dansk Arbejdsgiverforening), which has consistently called for benefits to be cut, expressed disappointment that the state will continue to assume responsibility for all claimants, but welcomed the planned cuts as a \u00bbstep in the right direction\u00ab.<\/p>\n
The left wing Red\/Greens, guarantor of the government\u2019s parliamentary majority, has distanced itself from the proposed cuts. <\/p>\n
Policy spokesman Finn S\u00f8rensen says he has stopped being surprised at the government\u2019s social policy a long time ago. \u00bbIt\u2019s \u2018tragic\u2019 to see benefits being cut, a clear violation of the government\u2019s agreed political platform\u00ab, he says. <\/p>\n
\u00bbThe government definitely won\u2019t be getting our votes on this one,\u00ab he warned.<\/p>\n
universitypost@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n