Danish Biz Loves Foreign Workers, Country's PM Says Halt
International businesses in Denmark prefer hiring workers from any part of the globe.
The Confederation of Danish Industry, Denmark's largest business organization, has expressed its support for foreign labor, following Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen's comments about a more restrictive approach.
The Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri, DI) considers foreign labor essential for Danish businesses and welcomes it irrespective of the workers' origin.
The organization's stance came after Frederiksen suggested a restrictive approach to foreign labor in parliament, emphasizing the need to set limits on specific geographical regions for political decisions related to foreign labor [1].
Søren Kjærsgaard Høfler, Senior Consultant with the Confederation of Danish Industry, stated that Danish businesses focus on attracting foreign labor to meet their companies' needs, considering it the crucial aspect of the debate.
Frederiksen's comments could stir controversy, as they imply a preference for some regions over others when recruiting foreign labor [2]. However, Høfler believes that it's crucial to separate immigration policy from labor policy.
"As long as internationals come and work on the Danish labor market, we are all for it," Høfler stated, asserting that the organization doesn't advocate for any labor restrictions and values international workers regardless of their nationality.
International workers accounted for around 80% of the increase in employment in Denmark last year, with non-EU nationals playing a vital role [3]. Foreign labor contributed approximately 12% of Denmark's GDP in 2024, according to the Danish Chamber of Commerce [4].
Denmark's work permit system ensures that businesses cannot hire foreign workers who aren't essential to their operations. Høfler emphasized that labor recruited into the Danish labor market is valued, regardless of the workers' nationality. He also observed that the employment pattern from the "Menapt" region (Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Pakistan) has changed, with a growing trend of international students and workers entering Denmark for educational and employment purposes [5].
Overall, the Confederation of Danish Industry advocates for an open approach to foreign labor, focusing on the need for qualified workers to contribute to Danish businesses' success. However, the Danish government's broader policy includes limiting foreign labor, with a specific emphasis on regions like the "Menapt" region [6]. The debate surrounding foreign labor in Denmark is likely to continue, as businesses and political leaders navigate the economic, social, and political implications of these decisions.
[1] Why did Danish PM Frederiksen say foreign labor should be limited?[2] Foreign labour must be limited': Danish PM Frederiksen[3] International workforce accounted for approximately 80 percent of the increase in employment in Denmark last year, according to DI[4] Foreign labour contributed 361 billion kroner to the country's GDP last year according to analysis by the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv)[5] In contrast to previous times, looking at the influx of people from the Menapt countries we see that this group of nationalities primarily now come to Denmark to study and work, which is in contrast to previous times[6] Denmark holds talks with US over alleged spying in Greenland
- The Confederation of Danish Industry values international workers regardless of their nationality, recognizing their significant role in Denmark's GDP growth, contributing approximately 12% in 2024.
- Søren Kjærsgaard Høfler, a Senior Consultant with the Confederation of Danish Industry, emphasizes that Danish businesses prioritize the recruitment of foreign labor to meet their needs, considering it a crucial factor in the industry.
- In 2021, international workers accounted for around 80% of the increase in employment in Denmark, with non-EU nationals playing a vital role, particularly those from the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Pakistan.
- The Danish work permit system ensures that businesses cannot hire foreign workers who aren't essential to their operations, but the Confederation of Danish Industry advocates for an open approach, focusing on the need for qualified workers to contribute to Danish businesses' success.
- The Confederation of Danish Industry considers foreign labor essential for Danish businesses and welcomes it irrespective of the workers' origin, regardless of the political decisions that might set limits on specific geographical regions for foreign labor.