The Ellebæk Detention Centre, located near Copenhagen, is under scrutiny for detaining asylum seekers who have not committed any criminal offence, highlighting a stark contrast between their legal status and the prison-like conditions in which they are held for detaining asylum seekers who are not accused of any crimes, and assigning them to labour-like activities for as little as 6 DKK an hour (€0.80).
These individuals, many of whom are awaiting deportation after their asylum applications were denied, report working under conditions resembling those in prisons, with compulsory routines and low wages. Though they have committed no offence, they are confined in facilities with carceral features, raising serious concerns about the criminalisation of migration. According to former detainees and experts, the situation at Ellebæk constitutes indirect forced labour, as individuals have no real choice but to work in order to obtain basic necessities such as phone cards or hygiene items.
Wages deducted to fund asylum seekers’ own deportation
A substantial portion of detainees’ earnings is reportedly withheld to fund their own deportation. Documents and testimonies reveal that 35% of their hourly wage is deducted for this purpose, while another 15% is held back until their release. As a result, some asylum seekers are deported with only a fraction of their total pay. Former detainees have stated that they were not informed about these deductions until after receiving their first wages.
Private companies benefit from low-paid asylum labour
Ellebæk has engaged in partnerships with private companies, allowing detainees to participate in low-paid labour programmes. One such partner, Premium Acqua, a Danish distributor of San Pellegrino mineral water, has come under criticism. While Sanpellegrino and its parent company Nestlé claim to uphold strict human rights and labour standards, Premium Acqua used Ellebæk detainees in its production chain. After media exposure, Premium Acqua stated it was unaware of the conditions and has since ended its cooperation with the detention centre.
Asylum seekers: mental health risks and possible human rights violations
Reports by Amnesty International Denmark and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture have documented cases of psychological trauma, poor mental health support, and alleged abuse at Ellebæk. Many detainees, including torture survivors, are held for indefinite periods, with human rights groups noting that this form of prolonged detention disproportionately impacts asylum seekers from African and Middle Eastern countries, where conflict and persecution are more prevalent. This disparity raises further concerns about potential racial and geographic bias in the enforcement of detention policies in conditions resembling solitary confinement.
Amnesty’s medical team found that none of the vulnerable detainees were screened for trauma or PTSD upon arrival, despite clear symptoms in several cases. The detention of such individuals, Amnesty argues, may violate international human rights conventions. Human rights groups have also warned that these policies may disproportionately affect migrants from specific regions, raising concerns about racial discrimination in enforcement practices.
Political silence and public criticism over detention practices
Despite the severity of the allegations, Danish authorities have been reluctant to disclose the names of partner companies involved in Ellebæk’s labour programmes, citing potential backlash. Critics have drawn comparisons between Ellebæk and detention practices in other Western countries, highlighting a pan-European issue of rights violations in asylum detention policies.
Several human rights organisations and legal experts are calling for Denmark to reconsider the use of long-term detention for asylum seekers, especially for those with a history of trauma. The debate raises broader questions about migrant rights, corporate accountability, and compliance with international legal standards.
