Following significant criticism, the Danish government has announced further exemptions to its controversial work duty program, extending relief to children of diplomats and children born via surrogacy. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the program’s impact on various groups with strong ties to Denmark.

The initial controversy stemmed from the inclusion of adopted children in the work duty requirement, which mandates that unemployed individuals work 37 hours per week to receive cash benefits. This sparked outrage, with many adopted individuals expressing feelings of being excluded from Danish society. Minister for Employment Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen subsequently apologized and pledged to exempt adopted children.

However, it soon became apparent that other groups with close connections to Denmark would also be affected, including children of diplomats stationed abroad. After internal pressure from the Moderates party, the government has now agreed to exempt diplomat children from the work duty.

Despite these expanded exemptions, certain groups will remain subject to the work duty requirement. Danes living abroad for more than 12 months will still be required to fulfill the work duty if they need to claim cash benefits, and this also applies to their children. The ministry maintains that there are no legal grounds to differentiate between Danes living abroad and foreign newcomers to Denmark in this regard.