Source of immigration

News in Norway recently posted an article regarding the Norwegian Minister of Labor and Integration's statements while on a visit to Pakistan. The minister, Bjarne Håkon Hansen, called to increase Pakistani immigration to Norway in order to stave off the labor shortage that Norway is supposedly facing.

I found it quite interesting, since just a few months ago, Oslo politicians were surprised at a study that showed that immigrants were responsible for 92.5% of Oslo's growth over the past decade and that non-western immigrants made up 86% of that growth.

What was more interesting was a Danish plan that was unveiled a week later.

Denmark wants to be known as the country where the best job opportunities lie. To that end, the government presented a 13-point plan Tuesday that will make it easier for Danish businesses to recruit foreign labour, reported daily newspaper Berlingske Tidende Tuesday.

Claus Hjort Frederiksen, the minister of employment, said that the initiative is important in keeping the economy on the upswing by helping to fill open positions.

'We have to make it easier for companies to attract and employ foreign labourers. We've seen that it can be difficult to get the unemployed in Denmark out to the open jobs.'

Frederiksen indicated that the plan is aimed at countries and cities where there is the greatest chance to find qualified workers, especially Poland, Sweden and Germany.

'If a large business closes in Poland or Germany, then we have to get the workers interested in Danish job opportunities. That can take place, for example, by contacting their local media,' said Frederiksen.

Denmark's embassies in those countries will also use their networks and local knowledge to promote the plan, an initiative that pleases the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI).

'We can see that countries like Ireland and Norway have had more success attracting foreign labour than we have, so I think the government's initiative is extremely positive,' said DI director Kim Graugaard.

In other words, there are qualified employees right across the border. There's no real need to go all the way to Pakistan in order to find them. Maybe Norway has more success in attractive foreign labour, but Denmark is at least looking much closer to home.

Source: Copenhagen Post (English)