The Norwegian government wants to prevent refugees who’ve been housed in small towns around the country from moving to larger hard-pressed cities in the more popular southeast around Oslo. Officials plan to propose concrete measures that could block moves within Norway for up to 10 years.
The proposals will prevent jobless refugees who can’t support themselves from leaving areas where they’ve been living, undergoing language training and adapting to Norwegian society at government expense. That can help keep small outlying areas populated and protect local governments in bigger towns and cities from higher integration and unemployment costs.
Government minister Kjersti Stenseng of the Labour Party admits the proposals are controversial and can restrict refugees’ freedom, but claims they also can contribute to better integration and relieve pressure on local governments’ services. Exceptions to the moving ban would be allowed if individual refugees can verify that they’ve found paid work elsewhere, qualify for higher education or job training where help is needed or if a move would be in the best interests of refugee children.
The ban on moving within Norway would also be lifted for those who’ve qualified for Norwegian citizenship. The proposals are expected to be introduced during the next session of Parliament after it reopens in the autumn.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
