Government ready to cut benefits to refugees

Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Anniken Hauglie ( Conservative Party )OSLO.Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Anniken Hauglie ( Conservative Party ).Photo : Berit Roald / NTB scanpix

The list of cuts that the government announced last fall is ready. On Monday the Labour and Social Affairs Minister Anniken Hauglie set out a series of cutbacks in welfare benefits to refugees and asylum seekers.

The proposals are a follow-up of the government’s additional suggestions to the state budget. Finance Minister Siv Jensen and Prime Minister Erna Solberg are now open to the idea of a number of changes in what is described as “refugee benefits.”

Specifically, it may involve cuts in pensions, disability benefits, work assessment allowance, transitional tightening of the right to unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, nursing allowance, and attendance allowance. Also workers’ compensation coverage for those with temporary work permits has been considered, like for instance restrictions to the right of social assistance.

According to Labour and Social Affairs this proposal will be circulated Monday, “in accordance” with the refugee settlement in Parliament from November.

 

Source:  NTB scanpix / Norway Today