Introducing your new integration minister

Bjarni Kárason Petersen became one of the country’s youngest MPs in November 2015 at the age of 21.

Now aged 28, he is the country’s Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs. KvF had a brief chat with him in his new office in the Tinganes government buildings on Tuesday.

“This is a new ministry that covers municipal and legal matters, integration and a host of other areas. So obviously we will be spending some time to get the ministry up and running.”

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The new minister is particularly excited to work with integration as this area is becoming more relevant by the day.

“With the steady growth in immigrants, it is crucial that we implement all the necessary procedures to ensure that people who move to our country are fully informed about their rights and duties on the labour market and in general,” he said.

More than 400 non-European workers have been approved through the fast-track programme for foreign worker intake.

Not all trade unions are pleased with the programme in its current format, arguing that workers employed through the programme are guaranteed a 40-hour work week while Faroese workers are not.

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“We are aware of this challenge. I am pleased with the programme as it is, but I will be taking a closer look at it,” he said.

“It is too early to go into details, but I can say that I want to optimise the operations of the Immigration Office.”

He added that he will also take a closer look at the integration bill, which did not make it through Parliament before the early election was called.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.