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Denmark's Defense Minister Proposes Higher Allowance for Conscripts in Greenland
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Denmark /Elections & Politics

Denmark's Defense Minister Proposes Higher Allowance for Conscripts in Greenland

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • The Danish defense minister plans to increase the daily allowance for conscripts serving in Greenland.
  • Conscripts currently receive between 14 and 17 Danish kroner daily, significantly less than permanent soldiers.
  • The proposed increase aims to improve conditions for conscripts, with political discussions planned.

Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus intends to raise the daily allowance for conscripts deployed in Greenland. The current supplement of 14 to 17 Danish kroner is seen as insufficient compared to the approximately 1,200 kroner permanent soldiers receive.

It is not the intention that the conscripts should have exactly the same terms as the permanent employees, but I would like to look at what we can do - including whether we can raise the allowance they receive while they are in Greenland.

โ€” Jeppe BruusDanish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus speaking about the allowance for conscripts in Greenland.

Bruus acknowledged that conscripts and permanent soldiers will not have identical conditions but stated a desire to improve the conscripts' situation. He indicated that political discussions on Friday would determine the exact amount of the increase. The minister also suggested the possibility of backdating the allowance increase for those already serving in Greenland.

mockery

โ€” Daniel BrixDaniel Brix, a council member representing conscripts' interests, describing the current allowance.

Concerns about the low allowance have been voiced by representatives of conscripts. Daniel Brix from the Conscription Council called the current supplement a "mockery," while Carl Emil Alsing Kongsmark, a representative for conscripts at the Slesvigske Fodregiment, stated they "feel like cheap labor." Approximately 100 conscripts from the Slesvigske Fodregiment are currently in Greenland, participating in the protection of critical infrastructure and gaining experience in the Arctic environment. This deployment is part of Denmark's increased presence in Greenland and the Arctic region.

feel like cheap labor

โ€” Carl Emil Alsing KongsmarkCarl Emil Alsing Kongsmark, a representative for conscripts, on how they perceive their situation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.