The English Article:
The government and the Danish municipalities association (KL) propose to remove the requirement for criminal record certificates: Citizens express concern and anger. The government and the Danish municipalities association (KL) have suggested removing the requirement to obtain criminal record certificates for employees in social services and foster families. The proposal has sparked significant concern and outrage among citizens, who fear for the safety of society’s most vulnerable groups. One of the concerned citizens is Oskar Rubin, whose non-verbal son Viggo does not have the ability to speak out if something goes wrong. “It is completely crazy that they want to remove a safety measure for vulnerable citizens. I am both angry and upset that people who have been convicted could potentially get off scot-free,” says Oskar Rubin.
Minister of Social Affairs and Housing Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S) has responded to the criticism in a written reply. She emphasizes that the proposal only pertains to lifting the obligation to obtain criminal record certificates, but the possibility to do so will still exist. “I assume that the employer will do it when it makes sense,” adds the minister, mentioning that it may not always be necessary if an employee has always been employed by the municipality, for example. B.T. (a Danish newspaper) has attempted to get answers on how the government will ensure that individuals with malicious intent are not hired to care for vulnerable citizens and how they defend removing this safety measure. The minister has only provided a general comment, mentioning a recent disability agreement from May. The agreement aims to assess whether citizens with disabilities are adequately protected in relation to the employment of those previously convicted in the social sector.
As part of an economic agreement, the government and KL have agreed on a series of simplification proposals that will contribute to streamlining various areas, including the social sector. One of these proposals is to remove the requirement to obtain criminal record certificates for employees in social services and foster families. “These are two separate tracks, and I look forward to examining what the assessment under the framework agreement leads to,” the minister concludes. KL has chosen not to comment on the criticism but refers to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing, and the Elderly for further information.