Government Proposal to Oblige Public Employees to Report Undocumented Individuals Sparks Criticism
During a press conference on Wednesday morning, the Swedish government and the Sweden Democrats announced their decision to move forward with a proposal that would require public employees to report undocumented individuals to the police and the Swedish Migration Agency. This proposal has been met with strong criticism from various sectors, including trade unions and political groups.
The Altinget newspaper previously reported that 12 out of 21 regions have already taken a stand against the proposal. Now, Sweden’s municipalities and regions, represented by SKR (Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions), have joined the opposition. SKR argues that it is not sufficient to exempt only certain professional groups from the reporting obligation.
Anders Henriksson, the chairman of SKR, expressed concern about the potential consequences of making distinctions between different services within municipalities and regions. He stated that this approach would create uncertainty and legal ambiguity for managers, employees, and residents alike.
In addition to the concerns about the proposal’s practical implications, SKR warns that it may conflict with other legislation, such as the Health and Medical Care Act and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. These legal frameworks guarantee children’s right to education and emphasize the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure within the Social Services Act.
Furthermore, employers in municipalities and regions have expressed their unease about the obligation to report individuals. They fear that this reporting requirement could compromise the professional environment, create ethical dilemmas, and make recruitment for welfare professions more challenging.
As the debate around this proposal continues, the government has acknowledged the possibility of exempting certain activities, including healthcare and schools, from the reporting obligation. Nevertheless, the proposal’s impact on all public activities is currently being investigated.
The issue of reporting undocumented individuals remains a controversial topic in Sweden, with concerns about its potential implications for various sectors and conflicts with existing legislation. The government’s decision to proceed with the proposal despite significant opposition may lead to further debates and discussions in the coming months.