How much more ironic could I be than reading Oliver Twist at the welfare office? The answer is none. None more ironic.
Here's a quick introduction to the Danish welfare system: If you become unemployed and you don't qualify for money from your union or as in my case have to sit out a one month long waiting period after graduating you can sign on the dole. But if you think that means you can just pick up a check and then go back to bed you're sadly mistaken. In my case I've had two meetings and waited two weeks to get any money (which I haven't received yet) and been told that I have to be activated.

I'm not sure it's like this all over the country, but here there's a law which states that if you sign on, you have to enter an activation program no matter how old you are or which education or former job experience you have. So Wednesday morning I'll have to report to some office on the other side of town for some kind of introductory program, which will qualify me for holding down some crap job until my waiting period runs out.

I totally believe in having to work for my money. I just find it incredible that our local politicians have found it necessary that in order for me to receive a menial handout, which will barely pay my rent, I have to work 30 hours a day in an old folks home or somewhere equally depressing.
The original point of the activation program (which has a real Ray Bradbury ring to it btw.) was to make sure that high school students didn't just sign on and then turn into slackers. Instead they were asked to work for their money, which in turn motivated them to go to college or apply for better jobs. But forcing a 29 year old with a degree out into work for a period, which will probably be less than six seems ridiculous to me. But there's nothing I can do about it, so for the time being it's crappy work if I want to get payed.