Christians groups in Norway are launching a new campaign to employ undocumented migrants, despite the fact it is not allowed under law.
The person behind the campaign is Tor Berger Jørgensen, the former bishop of Sør-Hålogaland and he launched the initiative last week, according to the report of The Local.
Jørgensen, 71, said that though employing undocumented immigrants is against the law, the campaign intents to assist these people get work so they can recover from their hopeless situation.
The priest sent letters to various Christian organisations in Norway and asked them to provide employment for those unable to return to their homes abroad or settle in Norway.
'There have been several positive responses from people who are now looking closely at what can be done,' he said.
'I am quite optimistic that we can achieve something among church organizations and with church connections.'
Jørgensen said the idea came after news reports that said an evangelical church in Stavanger, Norway, had employed an Eritrean woman who had lived illegally in the country since 2011.
Norway's Immigration Minister Sylvi Listhaug has called Jørgensen's move 'irresponsible'.
She said: 'What he is in fact doing is creating false hopes for people who have to return to their homeland.'
She added: 'Individuals who have received a final rejection of their asylum application are obliged to return home.'
Under Norwegian law, employers who use unpermitted foreign workers could face fines or imprisonment.
