Denmark's Defense Minister Proposes Higher Allowance for Conscripts in Greenland
Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- 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.
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
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
Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.