Government offers at-risk youth pocket money jobs

The Danish government proposes a bill to give at-risk youth the right to pocket money jobs to deter them from crime. Introduced on April 24 by Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, the initiative aims to provide an alternative to following the ‘big boys’ into gang life and criminal activities. It mandates municipalities to offer such jobs to 13-17-year-olds referred by the Youth Crime Commission or suspected of serious criminal activity by police. These jobs could be in daycares, local businesses, or supermarket warehouses. Research indicates a lower risk of prison by age 25 and increased likelihood of employment in late 20s for those with early work experience. The initiative, part of last year’s gang package, expects to spend up to 13.3 million DKK from 2025, offering approximately 800 youths pocket money jobs annually.