According to the draft bill, a person with intention to beg should first register and then obtain a permit from the police.
In addition, begging will be restricted at the important places such as city centres, tourist attractions, during summer events and on road sides, if the law is enacted.
Photo – Lehtikuva.
The rationale behind the law was that it would reduce the abuse of beggars and thus lessen the risks of human trafficking by bringing the beggars within a formal enclosure.
The initiative was led by lawmakers Arto Satonen, Kari Rajamäki, Antti Rantakangas ja Reijo Tossavainen.
The initiators have designed their proposed bill in line with a similar model from Norway.
