Swedish gov't proposes changing welfare services for asylum seekers

The Swedish government has proposed changing welfare services for asylum seekers, the government announced in a press release on Wednesday. The proposal aims to discourage asylum seekers to choose to live in certain areas.

Under the proposal, the government would stop making financial contributions to asylum seekers who have chosen their own accommodation in areas that are socio-economically disadvantaged.

21,502 people applied for asylum in Sweden last year, according to the Swedish Migration Agency. Sweden provides accommodation for all asylum seekers, though they may also choose to arrange their own accommodation -- if they have relatives in the country, for example.

If the proposal goes ahead, those who choose their own accommodation may no longer be eligible for a "daily allowance" or "special allowance". The daily allowance, as it currently stands, amounts to about 71 SEK or 7.5 U.S. dollars per day, and is intended to cover living expenses.

The government claims that asylum seekers who choose where they live pose considerable challenges to society. These include "increased segregation... and difficulties for the municipalities to offer welfare services", Swedish Minister for Justice and Migration, Morgan Johansson said in a press release.

The proposed change represents a departure from previous policy for the Social Democrats and the Green Party, who compromised with some centre-right parties to form a minority government last year. This proposal is just one part of the 73-point long agreement between the government, the Liberals and the Center Party. The legislative amendment is proposed to enter into force on January 1 2020. (1 U.S. dollar = 9.42 SEK)