Estonians and Other East-Europeans Who Have Lost Their Jobs in Norway Don’t Hurry Home

[Nachtengel]

Estonians and other East-Europeans who have lost their jobs in Norway don’t hurry home, since subsidies there allow people to live better than working here, Postimees reports.

The unemployment among Eastern-Europeans who have gone working to Norway has five-folded in a year. Therefore the number of people who get subsidies has also grown rapidly.

Norwegian press has covered the subject since the beginning of the year and some politicians think that the rules of subsiding Eastern-Europeans should be harsher.

“Financial crisis brings poverty and social dissatisfaction to these countries. It’s naïve to believe that Polish and Baltics citizens would waive Norwegian benefits,” Per Olaf Lundteigen, a member of Norwegian Centre Party said.

Currently Eastern-European workers may get unemployment benefit after working in Norway for 6 months. Average amount is NOK 13,700 or EEK 23,600 a month for up to two years.

http://www.balticbusinessnews.com/De...15f47&open=sec

[Hersir]

Wonder how long the system can keep up. No wonder we are drilling for so much new oil so we can earn cash for this.

[Kogen]

I cannot understand the mentality of fellow Europeans to act this way. Why would Estonians, with no job in Norway, not wish to return to Estonia? Do they hate their own people that much?