• Sweden edition
National

Migration Board staff hid documents in wardrobe

Published: 27 Apr 12 07:28 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40508/20120427/

A Migration Board (Migrationsverket) official from Malmö has been fired after it was discovered that she had for years failed to register important documents and instead hid them wrapped up in clothes and behind furniture in her office.

“We handle 300,000 applications a year. Each involves correspondence with original documents. We have clear routines. This is a case where one individual hasn’t followed the guidelines,” said agency spokesperson Fredrik Bengtsson to local paper Sydsvenskan.

A line manager discovered in January that the woman had hoarded documents such as post, foreign passports and other original documents pertaining to 130 migration applications since 2008, according to the paper.

Co-workers had reportedly long suspected that something was wrong.

As early as 2009, the woman had been stripped of some of her responsibilities and reduced to handling the post that came in from all over the world regarding applicants’ original documents.

However, co-workers reacted, as there seemed to be a lot of post coming into the woman’s office but very little ever turning up where it should.

When staff eventually searched the woman’s office, they found stacks of documents in cloth bags, wrapped up in garments and stuffed into a wardrobe. Piles of documents were also hidden behind some stacked newspapers behind a chair.

The woman was subsequently called to explain herself to her superiors but failed to turn up on numerous occasions.

Not until two months later she finally told her manager that she had meant to register the documents but had put them aside as she felt embarrassed to have to ask her colleagues for help.

After looking into the matter, the agency found that at least one person has been denied citizenship due to the woman’s conduct.

“But this application will now be re-evaluated," Bengtsson told news agency TT.

After the matter was reported to the agency’s control body, it was decided that the woman would be sacked with immediate effect.

She is now also risking formal charges as a result of her actions.

TT/Rebecca Martin
twitter.com/thelocalsweden

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

08:32 April 27, 2012 by JulieLou40
Clearly she has some mental disorder which has resulted in her hoarding these items...be it depression, stress, or both...
08:57 April 27, 2012 by G Kin
No. She likely is an SD member :(
09:06 April 27, 2012 by johan rebel
It took 'm three years to figure out why all those documents went missing?
09:20 April 27, 2012 by stabbull
the swedish migrations board has a lot of cleansing to do, because there is apparently a cabal of bad eggs or nationalist thinkers who think they are saving the country by denying innocent people citizenship and visa. this womans case should be used as an example, i m sure there is more than meets the eyes.
09:55 April 27, 2012 by texaslass
Perhaps this woman has dishonest intents, but I would more agree with #1. I think that she is overwhelmed with her tasks, and lacks the mental resolve to handle problems in a healthy and realistic manner. Her tactics are very much denial, in hoping that if she ignores the problems that she is creating, they will just magically go away. Probably more likely "head in sand" and escapist, than making a political statement.
10:10 April 27, 2012 by Puffin
Sounds like she was having some sort of breakdown- if her intent was evil she would have destroyed the documents not wrapped them in her jumper and stuffed them in the wardrobe!

@johan rebel

The problem is that given that the woman was the registrator that these documents would have been marked as never having been recieved leaving to innocent person fuming at the equally innocent Posten
11:39 April 27, 2012 by foxpur
I point out that my last dealing with Migrationsverket went incredibly smoothly and without noteable incident.
11:46 April 27, 2012 by njkkhatri
When staff eventually searched the woman's office.

Searched = Sought

And yes, that lady needs some medical treatment.
12:52 April 27, 2012 by amerisvensk
@ stabull true and right on comments @ foxpur,I wonder if you come the USA Canada or the EU,those of us who do almost never have trouble with Migrationsverket.There is a huge double standard between those that com from western countries and those who come from third world ones I love Sweden,which is why I choose to live here but the truth is there is racism and nationalism here.It is hidden mostly and sort of passive agressive but it is there and needs to be confronted in a real and honest way.
15:25 April 27, 2012 by calebian22
Amerisvensk,

Most immigrants from the West bring something to Sweden that Sweden needs or at least can use. The same cannot be said for third world countries. It is discriminating in the sense that choices are made but it is not racist nor bigotted. Thinking that immigration is a right is naive.
15:29 April 27, 2012 by james_g
@ njkkhatri - Presumably the staff knew where the woman's office was, so they wouldn't have had to seek it; however, if they didn't know where it was they would have had to wait until they HAD sought it and, indeed, found it before they would have been able to search it... (?)
17:07 April 27, 2012 by Scambaiter
I don't know who the translator(s) at the Local is (are) but the quality is frequently poor or inaccurate, which can lead to misunderstandings and excessive squawking on the forum.

Last week the Local had translated "barn och ungdom" to "children", which caused a lot of unnecessary discussion.

This week it's "we have clear routines". Believe me, no civil service department/ministry has "routines", it has "procedures". "Routines" are for people like me in the morning -- get up, make coffee, switch on the computer -- and for software programmers.

As for Calebian's claim that "Most immigrants from the West bring something to Sweden that Sweden needs or at least can use", that's a gross generalization bordering on racism.

The vast majority of non-European (of "third world" as Calebian puts it) immigrants/refugees come from the educated middle classes, which is why they have the funds to pay human smugglers/plane tickets etc in the first place.

Most end up as cleaners and taxidrivers due to their non-European backgrounds, their difficulties with the Sweish language and the fact that their tertiary qualifications are called into question by the Swedish system. In other words their years of university study don't count for sh*t in this country.
18:01 April 27, 2012 by indeedmagnifier
This woman had not been in her office something like 5 months and more for the sake of vacations, sickness and semesters. In this period, the other personnel had been in her room

to continue her job instead. Any child could find out immediately in first time and first look. How did it take three years? It shows that it is not only her to do that vicious attitude; it is a familiar behavior between all!

In three years, she jeopardizes thousands of lives, and they are saying they had found one, this foolish.

I wonder with the all sophisticated tools that used in offices in Sweden, seems that those are good for protecting only the out of controlled personnel to obscure their malicious manners.

But the realty is, the other individuals in the staff of Migrationsverkrt could be eventually not very better than her. It is because there is a hide racist mentality between the staff of the Migration board, double standards, double morals, acting with a mentality which gives the feeling that all incomers, refugees or immigrants are unintelligent people or they are illicit. These comes of course from the personal issues and comes from their training.

It seems that some of their awful mentalities come from their trainings, where there is a general sense of suspect, , a big conservatism, a big barrier to resist for every approach of immigrants which makes the staff inflexible and stubborn against and makes immigrants disappointed to approach even for their very obvious maters for example to ask what has happened to its documents. There is no any means to realize where and how things are processing and if the person is qualified or not.

Moreover,

Sweden who by its Telia Sonora and Sony Ericson Companies are helping all dictators of the world to find and arrest the freedom seekers in the dictators' vast territories, is not able to find out about a dishonest member of the staff of Migrationsverket under its nose!?
18:10 April 27, 2012 by respect4ALL
its disgusting when some try to defend that womans actions. am not swedih but i live here n i do love the country n them same applies to swedes who reside in other countries with the same feelings-so lets be possitive to ech other.

searched=sought!!!

whats wrong with that?? i thought its even more appropriate to say searched. sought has no meaning as per the story
21:56 April 27, 2012 by RobinHood
Other things found at the back of a Migration Office wardrobe today include: Glen Miller, Jimmy Hoffa, Raoul Wallenberg, and the crew of the Mary Celeste.
01:00 April 28, 2012 by Spuds MacKenzie
Comment: @calebian22 You are absolutely correct. Western immigrants bring value and experience to Sweden. Third World immigrants/refugees do not.
09:15 April 28, 2012 by libertarianism
A large number (not all) of state workers suck. Apathy, indifference, lack of personal responsibility/accountability/respect, low competency, soaring arrogance...

Of course people die because of it, but the state does not care about any individual. In the state's eyes, there are an infinite number of people. If one dies, the state will simply buy a new one.

Refugees are mistaken to believe in the goodness of the state. The state tortures, maims, and kills the sick and elderly to finance the refugee project. Human life is worthless in Sweden.
11:17 April 28, 2012 by amerisvensk
@calebain22,your comments are just what I am talking about,a lot of Swedish people believe that. But it is a gross generalization that is not true. I have meet many non western immigrants that are well educated, well skilled and bring a lot to offer Sweden only to see them rejected by Migration on other hand I have seen Westerners who come here and offer nothing who stay illegally then are welcomed back to Sweden with open arms. Where as I know for a fact if these Westerners were from say Africa or the middle east they would be banned from Sweden just for overstaying there visa.Unless you have worked in or experienced Migrationsverket first hand it is easy to miss the discrimination that happens within it's system. That being said and on other-hand I believe that all people who immigrate have a duty to learn the langue and culture of the country they choose to belong to.Sweden is a great country and those incoming to Sweden should learn it's history and culture and to be made to feel as part of the country. People that do not adjust and integrate will always be seen as outsiders. Interrogation is a two way street though. One of the reasons immigration has worked in the US that immigrants are made to feel proud to belong to and be a part of the USA. IMO a lot of the best and most hard working Americans are first generation Americans.
14:57 April 28, 2012 by Spuds MacKenzie
@amerisvensk But Sweden does not want integration! Even in the "samhällsorientering" class I take weekly in conjunction with SFI we were taught that Sweden wants multiculturalism, not American style integration & assimilation since that is apparently an antiquated method (even though we both know the US way of doing it is far more effective and realistic).
15:39 April 28, 2012 by calebian22
Amerisvensk,

I stopped by Komvux the other day to say hello to my Gruv teacher, who is soon to retire. It was interesting to peek into the classrooms and see familiar faces still in the same classrooms that I and other westerners left behind long ago. Just as you have met "many" non-westerners that are educated, I have had the exact opposite experience. All the western Euros I was with at the beginning have long since left the entry levels to jump back into their careers or to advance to higher levels of education here in Sweden. The same cannot be said for the green paper carriers on the community dole.
22:35 April 28, 2012 by amerisvensk
Spuds, I would ask you, is it the people of Sweden that do not want integration or is it the politicians? In my experience most Swedes would welcome it:It is the policies of the government that do not favor it.IMO these policies including not allowing refugees to work when they first get here add to the resentment that some Swedes feel towards immigration.
17:26 May 1, 2012 by sureiam
True @ Amerisvensk
15:08 May 14, 2012 by indeedmagnifier
Here the subject is about the dishonesty of a woman who was working in the staff of the Migration board.

What are these stupid comments about integration! Are you out of your mind?! Shame on you, to change the subject for protecting the dishonesty and that crazy xenophobic woman!

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

You should comment about the dishonesty of that woman and her directors and her colleagues who were careless about her responsibilities and about their selves responsibilities too!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Male nurse dons dress in shorts shortage rage

Male nurse dons dress in shorts shortage rage

A male Swedish nurse has donned a dress to protest the lack of shorts at a hospital in southern Sweden, saying he had to fight the small battles for gender equality in the workplace. READ () »

Assange is the UK's problem: lawyer

Assange is the UK's problem: lawyer

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is prepared to spend another five years inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, but one Swedish lawyer said on Tuesday that the decision would not affect the Swedish case. READ () »

Transport chaos threatens Midsummer

Transport chaos threatens Midsummer

A public transport strike appears likely to kick off on Wednesday night after unions and state-transport heads failed to agree on workers' pay and conditions after three days of discussions. READ () »

Puppy smuggling shows no signs of abating

Puppy smuggling shows no signs of abating

Almost 2,000 puppies are smuggled illegally to Sweden every year, new statistics reveal, putting Sweden at risk of rabies while endangering the life and health of the trendy dogs. READ () »

Train driver slams beggar on loudspeaker

Train driver slams beggar on loudspeaker

A Swedish train driver has been criticized for using the loudspeaker to warn passengers about a beggar on board a Stockholm commuter train, and encouraging them to save their money and rip up the beggar's papers. READ () »

Stockholm travellers a repeat problem: police

Stockholm travellers a repeat problem: police

A travelling community has moved on after Stockholm University exchange students were forced out of their accommodation over safety concerns, with police claiming the situation is nothing new. READ () »

Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Stockholm City Police have decided not to issue Princess Madeleine a fine for driving in the bus lane a few days before her high-profile wedding, after confusion about her rights to use the lane. READ () »

No review for hand-shake discrimination case

The Swedish Justice Ombudsman will not look at a case in western Sweden where a man was paid damages for not being given an internship after he refused to shake a female boss's hand for religious reasons. READ () »

More National

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
fastighetsbyrån.se Elodie Pradet/The Local File photo: AP File photo: Scanpix Private Göran Höglund/Flickr Finest.se Scanpix Ann Törnkvist Stefan Larsson Private DoToday Scanpix, C More The Local Finest.se Facebook The Local Scanpix Ann Törnkvist/The Local Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix CDC/Wikipedia (File) kristja/sxc.hu (File) Gary Krarper/Wikipedia (File) Fastighetsbyrån Swedish expats use book club to survive London Finest.se Sergei Grits Silence/WikiCommons Oliver Gee Oliver Gee Scanpix veidekke/Flickr The Local launches Italy's news in English Eddie Gee David V. Hughes

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

13 June 22:03

This weeks results..week 24/25 »

"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE