Bolstered by support from Dansk Folkeparti (DF), Socialdemokraterne and Socialistisk Folkeparti, a majority in Parliament are in favour of scrapping the Green Card Scheme.
The scheme, which aims to attract highly-skilled and specialised foreign workers to Denmark, is on the chopping block because many often end up working unskilled jobs outside their professions.
“The scheme has been a failure,” Dan Jørgensen, spokesperson for Socialdemokraterne regarding immigration issues, told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
“It has not worked as intended. On the contrary, it has had some very counterproductive effects like allowing people into Denmark who are taking jobs that Danes or refugees easily could have filled.”
READ MORE: Government proposes new green card changes
Where’s Venstre?
In 2014, the Helle Thorning-Schmidt-led government tried to solve the issues associated with the scheme by reducing the permit’s longevity from three to two years for first time applicants, toughening language competency requirements and introducing more stringent criteria for extensions.
Current government party Venstre actually campaigned on cutting the scheme during the election last year, but has yet to act on that promise.
“Currently, we are getting more done in the immigration arena together with Socialdemokraterne than we are with Venstre,” said Martin Henriksen, the immigration spokesperson for DF.
