State-assisted integration, but not for all: Norwegian welfare services and labour migration from the new eu member states

Abstract

In the last decade, the labour migrant population, especially from East European countries, has significantly increased in Scandinavia. Among the Scandinavian countries, Norway stands as the largest recipient of labour migrants from new European Union (EU) countries. This article focuses on the reception conditions for labour migrants from new EU member states during the period 2004-2009. The article also explores, contextualizes and relates the perspectives of the service providers to the Nordic welfare system, including, for example, eliciting their views on whether and why they think there is a need for a recalibration of existing practice and policies. © The Author(s) 2011.