The Swedish government’s planned welfare cap is provoking strong reactions among immigrants and left-wing politicians. Immigrants argue that their children will turn to crime if welfare benefits are reduced. Politicians in immigrant-dense major cities agree.
The proposal to introduce a welfare cap would include an upper limit on how much financial assistance a household can receive in total, while also tightening activity requirements for receiving social benefits.
The government says the reform is intended to strengthen incentives to work and reduce long-term welfare dependency.
Critics, however, warn that the consequences could be severe if immigrants are forced to work instead of relying on welfare. Sweden’s public broadcaster Sveriges Radio interviewed residents in immigrant-dense areas who expressed concern that young people could be drawn deeper into criminality if their families’ financial situations deteriorate further.
– Young people need money. If I don’t give them money, they will go and get money the wrong way, Syrian mother-of-four Sarah told SR.
She believes children may start shoplifting, dealing drugs, and being recruited into criminal gangs if benefits are reduced.
– They don’t think about risk, they only want money, money.
Alexander Ojanne (S), Stockholm’s commissioner for social affairs and public safety, referred to experiences in Denmark where similar reforms, according to him, led to more young people committing theft after family benefits were reduced.
– This will lead to children and young people being lured into crime, Ojanne said.
At the same time, the government dismisses the criticism. Social Insurance Minister Anna Tenje (M) argues that the work-first principle must be strengthened and that the welfare system cannot be more profitable than employment. The government also believes there are other tools to combat crime besides maintaining high welfare levels.
– More children will see their parents go to work, Tenje said.
Today, a family with four children can receive 46,500 SEK (4,580 USD) per month in benefits, despite the parents being able to work but choosing not to do so. Three thousand households are expected to be affected by the government’s reform.
– The money is not enough, Sarah told SR.
The question of the relationship between economic hardship, integration, and crime is expected to become a central issue in this autumn’s political debate.