Government looking to improve conditions for veterans

But the veterans say not enough is being done for the most vulnerable

On the very day the nation paid tribute to all the country’s deployed soldiers since World War II yesterday, the government unveiled its plans to analyse and improve the support measures in place for its veterans.

The defence minister, Peter Christensen, contended it was time to take a look at how society can help improve the situation for Denmark’s veterans and their loved ones.

“Denmark has a solid veteran support system that builds on many years of work and experience,” said Christensen.

“The government believes it is important to continue on with the positive development while focusing on the effect on the veterans and their next of kin. They deserve it, and that’s what our service check will ensure.”

The service check will pinpoint a number of areas in which Danish society can better assist when it comes to recognition, support and opportunity – such as how to get more veterans into the job market and how to better support those struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

See the government’s veteran plan here (in Danish).

Not good enough
Meanwhile, the veteran advocacy organisation Veteranalliancen has criticised the government’s new effort for not taking into consideration those veterans who are in the greatest need of help.

Claus Stenberg, a spokesperson for Veteranalliancen, said the help available for veterans who have been seriously injured during international missions is lacking.

Stenberg argues it is because the government completely avoids the question about work-related injuries while not looking to change the traditional outlook that physical injuries are of greater significance than psychological injuries.

“If you are injured physically, you can have a degree of disability of 100 percent, depending on the extend of the injury. But if you have a psychological injury, you can get a maximum degree of disability of 35 percent,” Stenberg told DR Nyheder.

“If you have a serious bout of PTSD and can’t move away from your home, and perhaps will never enter the labour market again, you can’t be adequately compensated.”

TOP STORIES

  • Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    After more than a decade living in Denmark, Russell shares why she made the move, how she’s coping, what she already misses, and the exciting new projects she’s working on. “It’s been a very tough decision. I love Denmark, and it will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says.

  • Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    The new Gefion AI supercomputer is one of the world’s fastest and will accelerate research and provide new opportunities in Danish academia and industry.

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs