Previously, news told how private owners of asylum reception centers have done very well in 2022. Refugees from Ukraine led to a need for emergency places at record speed – and UDI had to open the cash book. – This is an example of how wrong it can go, said representative Tobias Drevland Lund (R) to news. But not all drivers take out millions in dividends to private owners. – I think it is important that this goes back to society in a good way, says business manager of Bragernes mottak, Tanja Vatnås. The profit goes to other users Bragernes reception was founded in 2022 and is located in Drammen. Last spring, both employees and volunteers worked to be ready to accept refugees from Ukraine. – It has been a circus, but what an experience, says Vatnås. An empty and ramshackle building was quickly converted. Bragernes Reception was converted from an empty premises within a month. Tanja says that they are concerned with seeing the people and giving them room to live as normal a life as possible in the difficult situation. It has been important for the Bragernes to provide room for play. – We received a response from UDI on 1 April. Then we had a month to go. Around 35 people worked on voluntary basis, says the business manager. – This has become the entire reception of Drammen. Blå Kors Drammen, which runs the reception, is a non-profit organisation. In other words; the business does not withdraw profits to private owners. – All our profits go back to other low-threshold offers, says Tanja Vatnås to news. Blå Kors Drammen’s businesses Blå Kors Drammen is a small local foundation. They have a cooperation agreement with Blue Cross Norway. The foundation runs a number of services: CHILDREN’S STATION Offers supportive and strengthening activities for families in vulnerable situations with children aged 0-12 or where the mother is pregnant. Offers help for parents, support for the whole family or for the children alone. STEP BY STEP Low-threshold services for people with challenges related to addiction, alienation, criminality and mental illness. Rehabilitative measures where work is done to assist them on the way to a desired life. NAV PROJECT Collaboration with NAV to get people who are far from working life back into work. BLUE FLOWERS Ordinary flower shop with two employees. The rest of the operation are people who are outside working life, who carry out work training. Here they get to try out all aspects of the store’s operations. DAMENES STASJON Women’s club where we talk about Norwegian culture, child-rearing and activities that don’t cost the world. How much is it okay to earn? Tanja Vatnås talks breathlessly about how they have worked to make life as good as possible for those affected by war. – Our aim was to become Norway’s best reception. I actually think we are in many areas, she says and adds: – Rumors are also circulating among the refugees. We have had many people come to our door and say they want to move in here as it is of such a good standard. Simple activities such as walking can make everyday life better for the residents. But Vatnås says that they have also spent money on giving them experiences such as the cinema, water park and other activities. Photo: Blå Kors Drammen – What do you think about private drivers taking out large dividends? – I can feel myself getting upset. These are the funds of the community. Making money should be fine, but how much? Vatnås continues: – Huge management salaries and large dividends are unethical. Simply. How Bragernes Reception uses the profit According to Tanja Vatnås, the reception in Drammen made a profit of NOK 2.2 million. This goes back to the other businesses in Blå Kors Drammen: Children’s station Step by step NAV project Blå Blomster Damenes station Vatnås says that they have not saved anything, but still go to the other businesses with a surplus. – For example, we have bought computers for the young people so that they can keep in touch with their friends from Ukraine who are spread all over the world. The business manager mentions that they also employ many people who are outside the workforce. She believes this will be financially beneficial for the state. – 70 per cent of our employees come from a public benefit. In other words, people who have been out of work over time. – Now the roles are reversed. They are the strong ones. They must help those who are vulnerable. In addition, I have almost no sick leave. This reduces expenses in the NAV system, she says. – Not only does our profit go back to the local community. We reduce expenses at NAV by employing people they would otherwise have to support. Soberly, but responsibly, news has asked UDI what requirements are set for a reception centre. Regional director Rune Holiløkk Vordahl refers to the regulations. Emergency accommodation, which was greatly needed when the war broke out in Ukraine, has its own rules. There are a number of different requirements that the providers must comply with. According to the regulations, the accommodation must be a sober but reasonable offer. Among other things, residents must have: Suitable and lockable bedrooms Lockable bathroom and toilet Free toilet paper, hand soap and paper towels Laundry options. Option to lock in own assets. At Bragernes Mottak, they had access to a paved outdoor area. To make it more pleasant, they invested in artificial grass. It works equally well for football and parties, says Vatnås. Photo: Blå Kors Drammen There are also a number of requirements related to, among other things, common areas, cleaning, waste management, catering. According to Vordahl in the UDI, they pay an average of NOK 670 per day for a bed. Vatnås at Bragernes Mottak believes that it is natural that private drivers are left with money in their cash registers. They believe that it is possible to afford far more than the sober, sensible offer. – We buy a bag, pencil case and drinking bottle for the children before school starts. We are at the cinema, water park and playground. If they lack money for health or travel costs, we try to help. How Bragernes Reception uses the profit According to Tanja Vatnås, the reception in Drammen made a profit of NOK 2.2 million. This goes back to the other businesses in Blå Kors Drammen: Children’s station Step by step NAV project Blå Blomster Damenes station Vatnås says that they have not saved anything, but still go to the other businesses with a surplus. – For example, we have bought computers for the young people so that they can keep in touch with their friends from Ukraine who are spread all over the world. The business manager mentions that they also employ many people who are outside the workforce. She believes this will be financially beneficial for the state. – 70 per cent of our employees come from a public benefit. In other words, people who have been out of work over time. – Now the roles are reversed. They are the strong ones. They must help those who are vulnerable. In addition, I have almost no sick leave. This reduces expenses in the NAV system, she says. – Not only does our profit go back to the local community. We reduce expenses at NAV by employing people they would otherwise have to support. UDI is responsible. Some benefit, others do not. What do the politicians who govern Norway think about the situation? In March, Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Mehl was asked a written question in the Storting by Tobias Drevland Lund (R): – Do the ministry and the minister have an overview of how much commercial operators of asylum reception take out in dividends? This was Emilie Mehl’s answer: The operational responsibility for the operation of asylum reception centers has been delegated from the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Services to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). This means that UDI must call for tenders, enter into contracts and follow up on these contracts with the operating operators. UDI is responsible for ensuring that the asylum reception system is fit for purpose and cost-effective. The establishment and operation of reception facilities is open to competition, and the acquisition of reception capacity takes place through the conclusion of private law contracts. The fact that the reception system is exposed to competition is believed to contribute to cost efficiency and the necessary flexibility in a system where capacity needs can fluctuate widely in a short time. When awarding contracts, UDI assesses price and quality. UDI must relate to the market and the offers they receive regarding the operation of reception, and to the current regulations. UDI has reported over time that there are no systematic differences in price between the different types of providers. Different types of operators are represented on the asylum reception market. In the last year, there has been a higher proportion of private operators. In terms of experience, these have the greatest capacity to create many reception places quickly, also on contracts with a short notice period. The use of private actors has been absolutely necessary to secure accommodation for over 50,000 displaced people who have come from Ukraine to Norway. Norway has never had such a high number of arrivals in such a short period of time. This has meant that both municipal, non-profit and private operators have had to contribute to ensure the best possible reception offer. If private actors had not been used, it is also likely that we would have been less prepared to receive refugees. I am concerned that the community’s funds are used well and correctly. I am also concerned with dealing with the situation with high numbers of arrivals of displaced people from Ukraine and to welcome those who arrive in the best possible way. A great effort has been made across the country to receive and accommodate those displaced in this situation. No record is kept of how much different operating operators take out in dividends from the operation of asylum reception centres. news subsequently asked the ministry a number of follow-up questions. State Secretary Geir Indrefjord (Sp) replies in an email that a significant effort has been made throughout the reception apparatus in connection with over 50,000 refugees from Ukraine. Geir Indrefjord (Sp) says there has been a higher proportion of private operators because the need for more capacity increased rapidly. Photo: Magnus Buer / Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Indrefjord emphasizes that the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness has passed on responsibility for the operation of asylum reception centers to UDI. – This means that UDI must call for tenders, enter into contracts and follow up on the contracts, writes Indrefjord. He adds that UDI is also responsible for ensuring that the asylum reception system is fit for purpose and cost-effective. Does not want too much profit The State Secretary further explains that he expects UDI to focus on avoiding excessively high pricing of services. – The government is concerned that the tax money should be used as efficiently as possible. Emilie Mehl replied in March that the ministry does not want private actors to take too much profit. Photo: Tove Bjørgaas / news In Emilie Mehl’s reply to Drevland Lund, the minister writes, among other things: “The government has been concerned that we should take the experience from 2015 with us, including trying to limit excessively high pricing of the services. We have a common interest in the community’s funds not ending up to a large extent as private profit”. news has asked the ministry what “not too big a profit” means. Indrefjord replies that, on a general basis, they want: – Effective competition in the market, which gives low prices and normal profit based on risk. Hi! Do you have any opinions on the matter? Or do you know of something else I should write about? This is some of what I have written about in the past:
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Blå Kors Drammen runs an ideal asylum reception – news Nordland
