The mayor of Brøndby, Maja Højgaard, has raised concerns about the integration challenges posed by the influx of foreign labor into her municipality and the wider Copenhagen’s western suburbs. She fears a repeat of the issues experienced with guest workers in the 1960s and 70s.

Højgaard’s comments come in response to the business community’s assessment of foreign labor as a success story, highlighting its contribution to economic growth. She argues that this perspective overlooks the significant challenges that arise from integrating large numbers of foreign workers and their families, particularly in areas already facing integration issues.

According to figures from the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, the Vestegnen municipalities are expected to see a significant increase in immigrants residing in Denmark for less than five years, a large proportion of whom are categorized as foreign labor and foreign students. This influx has already had a noticeable impact on Brøndby, with a local school experiencing a rapid increase in the number of reception classes needed for children who do not speak Danish.

Højgaard questions whether Denmark should be relying on foreign labor to fill jobs that could potentially be done by Danish citizens, suggesting a discussion is needed about the priorities of society and the business community. She also points out the financial strain on the municipality’s welfare budget, as it struggles to provide healthcare, interpreter assistance, and family support to the newcomers.

Her concerns also extend to the government’s ongoing negotiations regarding foreign labor policies. While some parties advocate for more flexible arrangements, Højgaard hopes that her party colleagues will consider the potential impact on municipalities like Brøndby. She emphasizes that the municipality can only successfully integrate a limited number of newcomers at a time and calls for a more cautious approach to foreign labor policies.

Højgaard is skeptical of the safeguards that are supposed to prevent the mistakes of the past and believes that many foreign laborers will stay in Denmark even if unemployment rises. She says that it is important to treat people as if they are staying and that early integration efforts are crucial for their long-term success.