Foreigners could settle faster and easier in Denmark if they were actively assisted with the many practical aspects of relocating to Denmark. Relocation and orientation assistance would also make Denmark better at attracting the kind of foreigners, it needs, and it would be easier for the foreigner to concentrate on doing the job, they were hired to do.
That is one of the conclusion of a new Expat Study 2010, co-sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, which wwas released today 7 December 2010.
The study suggests that Denmark could improve its systems for providing practical help. Nine out of ten expats find it important to receive practical help and guidance in connection with their stay in Denmark. Meanwhile, 76 percent of expats employed in the public sector say that they had to look after the practical details of their stay themselves.
Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen agrees.
“The foreigners need more help in understanding the Danish systems,” she says.
“It would be advantageous for both parties if the sought-after expats can navigate Danish society more quickly, so they can concentrate on the work they came to Denmark for.”
Specifically to be better at keeping international students in Denmark once they have finished their studies and also attract newly graduates from abroad, the Danish government wants to reduce the minimum wage for foreign experts from the current 375.000 DKK to 300.000 DKK.
“This will be particularly beneficial to foreign students in Denmark as it is rare for a new graduate to get such a high starting salary compared to other newly-arrived and highly educated workers,” Charlotte Sahl-Madsen explains.
The Danish Government has since 2001 launched a number of initiatives to attract and retain highly qualified foreign workers. They are:
1. The Positive list (see below): Foreigners who work within a particular field that already has a lack of qualified workers, have more ease of access to the Danish labour market.
2. The Greencard scheme: Provides a residence permit to foreigners seeking work in Denmark, if there is a likelihood that they will find qualified work in Denmark.
3. The research tax scheme: Has been improved to now allow researchers and key employees work for five years with a 26 percent tax rate, before they are subject to regular Danish taxation.
However, the study finds that Denmark remains among the least successful countries in Europe at attracting foreign experts.
‘The Positive Job List’ consists of a number of industry areas where there
are shortages of skilled manpower as follows: Academic work.
Construction. IT and telecommunications engineering. Leadership.
Educational, social and church work. Sales, purchasing and marketing.
Health care and personal care. Transport, postal, warehousing and
machine operator job. Teaching.
