The government withdraws controversial proposal after massive criticism. The government has chosen to withdraw a controversial proposal to abolish the requirement for criminal record checks in employment at social services. The proposal, which was part of the economic agreement for 2025 between the government and the Danish Association of Local Authorities (Kommunernes Landsforening), has faced extensive criticism from various quarters. Minister for Social Affairs and Housing Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S) has declared in a written statement to the media that she has listened to the criticism and chosen to maintain the requirement for criminal record checks.
Several experts, organizations, municipalities, and political parties have been among the critics. A concerned father has called the proposal “completely insane” in an interview with B.T., stating that it removes an important safety measure for vulnerable citizens. Both the Liberal Alliance and the Danish Social Liberal Party (De Radikale), which are part of a previously agreed political framework agreement for the disability sector, have expressed their dissatisfaction. They point out that this framework agreement was precisely meant to examine whether the use of criminal record checks was adequate.
The purpose of the agreement has been, among other things, to reduce bureaucracy in the social sector. However, according to the trade union Socialpædagogerne (Social Workers), it only takes a few minutes for social services managers to obtain a criminal record check, making the process relatively simple.
The Minister’s decision to withdraw the proposal can thus be seen as a response to the concerns raised and a recognition of the importance of maintaining safety measures for the most vulnerable citizens in society.