Background information

When the war in Ukraine began, millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee. It is crucial to include the Ukrainian refugees in the Danish labor market, however, the difference in language can to a large degree cause verbal barriers, which can make it difficult to enter the labor market. English is used in many workplaces and positions in Denmark, however, many Ukrainians refugees do not speak English nor Danish.

On the 28 September 2023, the temporary law was extended for a year now lasting until 17 march 2025.

On 1. November 2024 the law was further adjusted to the issues that municipalities and state experienced in implementing the law. The updates included an extension of the law's validity and clarifications of the municipalities' role regarding housing and benefits for refugees. The purpose of the changes was to adapt the law to the current needs and ensure a more flexible administration.

Content of measure

The national government and the social partners have agreed that it should be possible for Ukrainian refugees to attend the basic integration training programme, when they hold a temporary residence permit. A person can only attend the basic integration training programme if he/she is a refugee or family united with a refugee between the age of 18 and 40 years old.

The goal of this initiative is to help refugees from Ukraine enter the Danish labor market as fast as possible. The Ministry of Children and Education is in charge of the implementation of opening the programme up to Ukrainian refugees. The basic integration training programme provides skills and practical experience with the Danish labour market. The programme lasts two years and combines employment in a paid internship at a company with a school education.

Use of measure

There is currently no available data on how many Ukrainians have started attending the basic integration training programme.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Employers' organisations	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Unknown	Unknown

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

Danish Employers' Association, Danish Trade Union Confederation and the National Association of Municipalities (KL) have been a part of the agreement with the national governments have been a part of the discussion on how to best ensure that Ukrainian refugees succeed in entering the Danish labor market as fast as possible, concluding that Ukrainians should have the possibility to attend the basic integration training programme.

Views and reactions

The social partners support this measure, as it also increases the labour supply thus providing a larger workforce in Denmark.

Sources

• 13 March 2022: Ny aftale: Ukrainere får mulighed for integrationsuddannelse (www.uim.dk)
• 16 May 2022: New Danish law for those fleeing Ukraine mirrors EU Temporary Protection Directive (ec.europa.eu)
• 19 May 2022: Integrationsgrunduddannelse (www.uvm.dk)
• 28 September 2024: UIM.DK (uim.dk)
• 01 November 2024: BL.DK (bl.dk)