Today, there are 10,000 fewer applicants to vocational education programs than in 2015, while the demand for skilled labor continues to grow. If Denmark wants to secure growth and maintain its global competitiveness, it requires targeted investment in development and skilled workers from international backgrounds. The construction, metal, and industrial sectors are facing a significant labor shortage in the near future, as fewer people complete vocational training.
Fortunately, there is already a solution: foreign labor!
Greater openness and understanding are crucial
Foreign workers help meet the increasing demand for manpower and ensure that companies can maintain operations and complete projects. Many companies already employ international workers, but there is still a need for greater openness and curiosity toward international collaboration if production levels are to be maintained in the future.
So what holds companies back from hiring foreign workers? In many cases, it comes down to a lack of knowledge about the topic. Specifically, limited awareness of the many benefits and opportunities that foreign labor can provide.
To address this, we want to demystify five common myths about foreign labor that we have encountered during our journey with FlexTemp and create greater transparency around the benefits involved.
Myth 1: “Foreign workers take jobs from Danish workers”
The reality is that foreign workers are an important resource for covering the labor shortage in the construction, metal, and industrial sectors. They make it possible for companies to take on more projects, which in turn creates more jobs that otherwise would not exist if foreign workers were unavailable.
A study from the Danish Business organisation (Dansk Erhverv) in 2024 shows that foreign labor contributes 158 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, corresponding to about 12% of the country’s total GDP.
Myth 2: “Language barriers create problems”
Many foreign workers are highly motivated to learn Danish and integrate into Danish culture. In many cases, success simply requires openness and curiosity from colleagues.
In most teams, there is usually at least one person who speaks either English or Danish, making it possible to communicate instructions effectively and ensure that tasks and information reach the entire team.
Myth 3:“Foreign workers are cheaper and therefore reduce overall wages”
In reality, when companies hire temporary workers through FlexTemp, they work under the same conditions and collective agreements as other employees. This helps maintain wage standards rather than lowering them.
Foreign workers often possess the same qualifications as Danish workers—and sometimes even higher specialization—because many international workers actively develop skills that meet the needs of the Danish labor market.
Myth 4: “Foreign workers create cultural or social problems”
Foreign workers do not create social or cultural problems—on the contrary, they contribute to diversity and dynamism in society.
Many international employees actively engage in integration by learning Danish, understanding local norms, and participating in society. Their presence can enrich workplaces with new perspectives and ideas that encourage innovation.
Myth 5: “Hiring foreign workers is complicated”
In reality, hiring foreign temporary workers can be relatively simple. With FlexTemp as a partner, the entire process and administrative work can be handled externally.
This allows companies to focus on their core business while the recruitment agency manages the recruitment process, documentation, and compliance requirements.
Focus on opportunities, not limitations
Foreign labor should not be seen as an emergency solution but as a valuable resource that contributes to growth, stability, and development in Danish companies. It is not a matter of choosing between Danish and international employees. Instead, both groups can work together to strengthen businesses and secure the future of the labor market.
For this reason, companies, industry organisations, and decision-makers should open the door wider to international labor and actively contribute to building a competitive Denmark that benefits everyone.
