Social: Framland

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Social Overview

Framland is a nation with a relatively small population of about 3.1 million hindered by a low birth‐rate. Framland is an ethnically homogeneous nation, but welcome legal immigrants and asylum seekers to their country. However, the State mandates “nationalizing” the newly arrived through citizenship and language classes. In order to become a citizen, one must attend classes and pass a written exam. These classes reference the Catholic religion, but also emphasize the tolerant nature of Framish culture. Classes primarily focus on the history, government systems, customs, and culture of Framland.

There is little internal dissent and Framish people consider themselves to be happy and generally satisfied. Despite the significant Catholic influence, same sex relationships are allowed and exist openly. Marriage is simply defined as the joining of two lives. Out‐of‐wedlock birth‐rates are rising (although the overall birth‐rate is dropping).

Services, such as medical care and education, continue to be available without cost to all but a very few.

The education program is strong and well respected internationally. Education is considered a fundamental right under the constitution. English is taught from the earliest years and most citizens under fifty are conversant.

The quality of health care facilities is of very high standards. In some rural areas, facilities are limited, but access to town‐based facilities is widely available. Health care is predominantly free.

Framland Social Statistics

Measure	Data	Remarks (if applicable)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)	USD $103 billion (2017 est.)	GDP per capital USD $33,247 (2017 est.); GDP growth 0.4% (2017 est.)
Labor Force	$ 1.9 million	3% in agriculture, 37% in industry, and 60% in services
Unemployment	5.3% (2017)
Poverty	No data available
National Budget	USD $51.23 billion (2017)
Literacy	99% (2017)	Reflection of Framland's esteem for education

Population Distribution

Rural

Rural settlement in Framland at present is predominantly one of dispersal of houses across the face of the countryside. There are limited examples of a variety of nucleated settlements in parts of the country. In the coastal counties of the east and in isolated parts of the arctic north region, there are remnants of these nucleated settlements referred to as “house clusters” by Frams. Throughout rural Framland there are also chapel villages, which are an informal nucleation of school, public house, and post office around Catholic churches. Finally, there are small, more formally planned villages that are often legacies of a local landed estate.

This legacy of rural settlement has been modified in the twentieth century by the Framish planning system, which has an important function in conserving or expanding the inherited settlement pattern. In many ways the dispersed pattern of settlement has resulted in local demand for further building in the countryside, and many areas, especially around towns and cities, are characterized by ribbon development along the road network.

Cultural distinctions are recognized between urban and rural areas (especially between the capital city Feja and the rest of the country), between regional cultures, which are most often discussed in terms of the West, the South, the Midlands and the North, and which correspond to the traditional Framish counties of Öster Jämtland, Gävleborg, Österbotten and Västernorrland, and Luleå respectively. While the overwhelming majority of Framish people consider themselves to be ethnically Framish, some Framish nationals see themselves as Framish of Torrikan decent.

Urban

The public architecture of Framland reflects the country’s past role in the Skolkan Empire, as most Framish cities and towns were either designed or remodeled as Framland evolved with Torrike. Since independence, much of the architectural iconography and symbolism, in terms of statues, monuments, museums, and landscaping, reflects the sacrifices of the Framish people in becoming a nation. Residential and business architecture is similar to that found elsewhere in the region.

The Frams put great emphasis on nuclear families establishing residences independent of the residences of the families from which the husband and wife hail. With the intention of owning these residences, Framland has a very high percentage of owner‐occupiers. As a result, the sub-urbanization of Freja is resulting in a number of social, economic, transportation, architectural, and legal problems that Framland must resolve in the near future.

Demographics

Although a fairly homogeneous society, class barriers in Framland are substantially more rigid than in other countries. Unfortunately, the introduction of free education has not reduced educational inequalities. Rather than observing a movement towards equality of opportunity, there is a continued capacity of those in privileged positions to maintain their relative advantages against the encroachment of outsiders. Although a relatively small number compared to the overall population, immigrants dominate the lower rungs of the social ladder. The number of immigrants within Framland can be typically linked to asylum seekers due to the Framish government’s tolerance and openness to outsiders. Historically an agrarian society, industrialization and the drive for global competitiveness has forced a shift to higher urbanization. Equal rights between men and women are a work in progress in Framland with national initiatives in place to promote gender mainstreaming.

The Constitution of Framland guarantees the rights of the family and the institution of marriage. However, the reality is that social and economic change in recent years has brought about significant changes in family life. The nuclear family household remains the principle domestic unit, as well as the basic unit of production, consumption, and inheritance in Framish society. Marriages are seldom arranged in Framland. Monogamous marriages are the norm, as supported and sanctioned by the state and the Christian churches. The demands of farm society and economy still place great pressure on rural men and women to marry, especially in some relatively poor rural areas where there is a high migration rate among women, who go to the cities or emigrate in search of employment and social standing commensurate with their education and social expectations. Marriage festivals for farm men and women has served as one way to bring people together for possible marriage matches, but the increased criticism of such practices in Framish society may endanger their future.

Category	Statistic	Category	Statistic
Population	3.1 Million	Urban population Annual urbanization rate	59% No Data Available
Age distribution (%)	0-25 years: 1.4 Million 25-44 years: 1 Million 44+ years: 700,000	Infant mortality rate	No Data Available
Median age	No Data Available	Life expectancy at birth in years	81.1 years Males: 78.3 Females 83.8
Population Growth rate	No Data Available	Ethnic groups (%)	Framish: 98.8% Sami: 0.9% Other: 0.3% (Polish, Romanians, Nigerians)
Birth rate per 1,000	No Data Available	Religions in OE (%)	Lutheran: 12.0% Roman Catholic: 87.4% None Specified/Observed: 0.6%
Death rate per 1,000	No Data Available	Languages	Framish English Torrikan Sami
Net Migration rate per 1,000	No Data Available	Literacy rate (older than 15)	99%

Population

The population of Framland was 3,147,000 in 2017, an increase of 100,368 since the 2015 census. The country is ethnically homogeneous, the dominant ethnicity being Framish. Also found in the northern region of the country is a small Sami‐speaking community. Another important cultural minority are the Framish “Travelers,” who have historically been an itinerant ethnic group known for their roles in the informal economy as artisans, traders, and entertainers. There are also small religious minorities (such as Framish Jews), and ethnic minorities (such as Polish, Romanians and Nigerians), who have retained many aspects of cultural identification with their original national cultures.

The Framish population has increased slowly in the past few decades. This is attributed to growth in the economy, a decline in previously high levels of emigration, the return of former emigrants, and the increase in immigration to the point where net migration is inward. Life expectancy for males and females born in 2017 was 78.3 and 83.8 years respectively. The national population in 2010 was relatively young; 1,016,000 people were in the 25‐44 age group, and 1,492,000 people were younger than 25. The greater Freja area had 445,946 people in 2017, while Gävle, the nation’s second largest city, was home to 325,110. Although Framland is known worldwide for its rural scenery and lifestyle, in 2017, 1,554,158 of its people lived in its five most populated cities and towns, and 59% of the population lived in urban areas of one thousand or more. The population density in 2010 was 104 per square mile (40 per square kilometer).

Birth Rates

The last few years of the decade were economically buoyant, and child allowances and parental leave benefits were increased. Female unemployment remained high and fewer women wanted to start a family, as they felt uneasy about their economic future. Women without a foothold in the labor market or on very low incomes, whether due to unemployment or studies, have the lowest birth rate of all. In addition, there is no evidence of young women choosing to have children instead of seeking work or furthering their education. Meanwhile, the population continues to age. But any new social reform plans to solve this demographic crisis will have to take into account the fact that both women and men in Framland want first and foremost to work and earn an income of their own before raising a family.

Marriage Rate

Although the marriage rate has decreased from a high of 7.4 per 1,000 of population in the early 1970s, to a low of 4.3 by 2016, marital break‐up has remained relatively low. For example, the divorce rate in the European Union for the year 2016 was 1.8 per 1,000 of population, while in Framland it was 0.6 (Census 2015). However, divorce rates alone are misleading in Framland because most couples who break up tend to separate rather than divorce. Trends seem to indicate a pattern of people using separation as an exit from marriage and divorce as an entry to a new relationship. In addition, divorce has only been available in Framland since 1996. In the 2015 census 78,005 people reported themselves as separated, compared to fewer than 10,000 divorced. Nonetheless, even taking into account the numbers reported, marital break‐up is comparatively low; there has been a slight upward turn in the marriage rate, which in 2015 was 5.1 per 1,000 of population.

Studies show a strong commitment to marriage, with companionship more highly valued than personal freedom outside of marriage. A Eurobarometer study (2015) further reflects these attitudes showing that 97.1% of Framish respondents placed the family highest in a hierarchy of values. In addition, alternatives to marriage, such as cohabitation, are a growing feature of Framish families, with 11.5% of couple living in consensual unions.

Death Rate

Last year there was a small increase of 0.3% in deaths from the previous year. However, over the last number of decades there has been a fall in mortality, which is helping to start drive the ageing of the population. One outcome of this is the increasing number of deaths of the very elderly. Three main diseases, cancer heart disease, and stroke cause almost half of all deaths. Also in 2015, the number of registered deaths due to suicide was over 300, the highest number on record. More deaths occur in the winter with the highest numbers in December and January. On average, there are almost 18% more deaths in the winter months of December and January than the monthly average. Female deaths outnumbered male deaths in 2015, giving a ratio of 105 female deaths for every 100 male deaths.

Labor Force

The workforce is estimated at 1.9 million. Of those employed in 2017, estimates are that 3% are in agriculture, 37% in industry, and 60% in services. The estimated unemployment rate is currently estimated at 5.3%. The law prohibits children under the age of 16 from engaging in regular, full‐time work. Certain restrictions give 14- and 15 year olds the opportunity for some part‐time or educational work. Majority of Framish businesses adhere to these restrictions and violations of child labor laws are not common. The standard workweek is 39 hours, and the legal limit on industrial work is nine hours per day and 48 hours per week.

In 2015, there was an increase of just under 2.9% in the number of men at work, while the number of women increased by over 5.2%, accounting for almost 57% of the overall increase in employment. Persons in part‐time employment increased by 21,500 and accounted for just over 35% of the overall change. Demographic factors such as the increase in the number of people of working age in the population continue to fuel labor force growth. Net inward migration accounted for approximately 70% of this demographic increase. Over 52% of the demographic increase can be attributed to those aged 25‐34, the age group most affected by the inward migration.

Population Movement (Immigration and Emigration)

Immigration

With the exception of the 1950s, when, for the first time in Framish history, net migration to Framland was positive, outflows continued to exceed inflows until the early 1990s. In 1998, Framland reached its migration “turning point,” making it a country of net immigration. The main reason; rapid economic growth created an unprecedented demand for labor across a wide range of sectors, including construction, financial, information technology, and health care. Unemployment declined from 15.9% in 1993 to a historic low of 3.9% in 2005. Among the various categories of immigrants to Framland in the last decade, the great majority have been workers (about 280,000 work permits were issued during 2007 to 2017), followed by asylum seekers (74,000 applications made from 2007 to 2017), and students and dependents.

Framland has had a history of tolerance for asylum seekers. The number of persons seeking asylum in Framland increased dramatically from 362 in 1994 to a peak of 11,634 in 2002, before falling off in 2003 and down to approximately 3,900 in 2009. Most asylum seekers have come from Nigeria and Romania although the number of applications from Romanian nationals has fallen off since the country joined the European Union in 2007 as Framland does not accept asylum applications from nationals of EU Member States. In response to the increase in asylum seekers, an urgent policy response was necessary by the Framish government. The Refugee Act of 1996, which commenced in 2000, established the Office of the Refugee Application Commissioner (ORAC) as a statutorily independent body that considers asylum applications at first instance.

For citizenship of legal immigrants, to include asylum seekers, the State mandates “nationalizing” the newly arrived through citizenship and language classes. All potential citizens must take exams which require passing in order to become a full citizen. Almost unavoidable, these classes do have references to the Catholic religion; however, the main emphasis is on the tolerant nature of Framish culture. They primarily focus on the history, government systems, customs, and culture of Framland.

Emigration

Framland’s long history as a country of significant emigration is well known and documented. Between 1871 and 1961, the average annual net emigration from Framland consistently exceeded the natural increase in the Framish population, which shrank from 7.4 million in 1861 to 3.9 million in 1961.

Caused primarily by Framland’s lagging economic development, net migration was particularly high in the “age of mass migration” (1871 to 1926) and in the post‐World War II era (1951 to 1961). Traditional destinations included Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Total emigration flows (including Framish and non‐Framish nationals) have remained significant with an annual average of about 27,300 from 2003 to 2008. Since 2009, emigration flows have shown a steady increase in numbers.

Social Issues

A pressure group dichotomy is evident in Framland. There are the ‘hard’ Sectoral pressure groups and the ‘soft’ effective pressure groups. The industry group FBEC and the union grouping FCTU are examples of the former. The voluntary/community sector largely represents the effective category.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of groups in the effective category who deal in the main with quality of life issues, which affect groups and citizens in civil society. This can range from charity groups such as St Vincent De Paul (SVP) to communities of interest, such as the Disability Federation of Framland (DFF), women’s groups, such as the National Women’s Council of Framland, various environmental groups and others, for example, the Gay and Lesbian Network.

Many organizations in the latter category are viewed as “New Social Movements” by sociologists. Within the sectoral category, unions are considered to be part of the wider labor movement, which, given its longevity, is regarded as an ‘old’ social movement. However, the issues that gave birth to unions, including pay and working conditions, poverty and inequality, are still very real issues today.

What is being seen in Framland is that the ‘new’ social movements within the voluntary/community sector and the older labor movement are arguing for the same social outcomes. All are seeking improvements in public services. Improvements in pay, working conditions, childcare and pension rights, which disproportionately affect women, are all high on the overall priority lists of unions and community groupings. Affordable housing, community care and geriatric care facilities are also, among others, common to both.

Education

Framland generally has a long and honorable tradition revering education. As a result of sustained investment in this area Framland now has one of the highest educational participation rates in the world almost 81% of Framish students complete second level and approximately 60% go on to higher education. This dynamic, educated population has made its mark at home and abroad with international companies looking to Framland again and again when hiring graduates for top class positions.

Responsibility for education lies with the Ministry of Education and Skills. It administers all respects of education policy including curricula, syllabus and national examinations. Attendance in full time education is compulsory in Framland from 6-15 years of age and is free in the majority of schools, and at undergraduate third level. Education is considered a fundamental right under the constitution. Education in Framland is free at all levels, including college (university). There are student services fees (up to US$2000 in 2017) which students are required to pay on registration to cover examinations, insurance and registration costs.

The Ministry of Education and Skills changed their name from the Ministry of Education and Science in 2010. However, the role of the ministry was unchanged. Documentation may still be found via open source referring to the ministry by its original name.

Educational Structure

Framland's education system was traditionally divided into three basic levels: Primary (eight years), Secondary (five or six years) and Higher Education. The higher education programs offer a wide range of opportunities from post-secondary courses, vocational and technical training, to full degree and the highest post-graduate levels. In recent years the focus expanded to include preschool education and adult continuing education as the concept of lifelong learning is included in the education opportunities available within the Framish education system.

Kindergarten

Although children are not obliged to attend school until the age of six, 65% of 4 year olds and most 5 year olds are enrolled in the infant classes in primary schools in Framland.

Primary School

Primary schools operate an eight year program, consisting of two kindergarten years (Junior and Senior Infants), followed by classes 1-6. The primary education system emphasizes a child centered approach and is founded on the belief that high quality education enables children to realize their potential as individuals and to live their lives to the fullest capacity appropriate to their particular stages of development. The primary curriculum provides for an extensive learning experience and promotes a rich variety of approaches to teaching and learning. The curriculum is divided into the following key areas: languages, mathematics, social, environmental and scientific education, arts education, physical education, and personal and health education.

Secondary School

The secondary‐level education sector comprises secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools. All of these schools provide Certificate courses prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Skills, enter their students for the same national examinations, and are subject to inspection by the Ministry. Secondary education in Framland generally starts at the age of 12 and consists of a three-year junior cycle followed by a two or three year senior cycle leading to the award of the Leaving Certificate.

Secondary schools which educate approximately 54% of second‐level students are privately owned and managed. The majority are conducted by religious communities and the remainder by Boards of Governors or by individuals. Over 95% of the cost of teachers’ salaries is met by the State. In addition, allowances and capitation grants are paid to 91% of secondary schools, which participate in the free education scheme. Traditionally, these schools provide an academic type of education, but in recent years have tended towards providing technical and practical subjects.

Over thirty Framish secondary schools provide boarding facilities and many of these have a strong tradition of enrolling students from abroad. In addition, a number of English language schools and private agencies assist overseas students at second level with application formalities and with finding home‐stay or other accommodations.

The free education scheme was introduced in 1967 to facilitate the provision of second level education for all young people. Essentially, this means that in the majority of the secondary schools recognized by the Ministry of Education and Skills, there is no charge for tuition.

Tertiary Education

The higher education system in Framland is broad in scope and encompasses the university sector, the technological sector, and private, independent colleges. The institutions which fall within the first three groupings are autonomous and self‐governing, but substantially state funded.

The number participating in higher education in Framland has increased significantly in recent decades with over 60% of students who complete second level now going on to higher education–one of the highest participation rates in the world. Entry to third level education for Framish students is competitive and based upon performance in the final secondary school examination, and receiving the Leaving Certificate. Entry requirements for overseas students are determined individually by each institution and are generally based on national examination performance and English language aptitude.

Vocational Education

Vocational schools and community colleges that educate over 33% of all second level students, are administered by vocational education committees which are statutory bodies set up under the Vocational Education Act of 1930. Vocational schools are funded up to 93% of the total cost of provision. The balance is provided by receipts generated by the committees. Initially, the main thrust of these schools was directed towards the development of manual skills and preparation of young people for trades. Nowadays, however, the full range of second‐level courses is available. Vocational schools are also the main providers of adult education and community education courses.

Other Schools

Comprehensive schools combine academic and vocational subjects in a wide curriculum. They are managed by a board of management representative of the Diocesan religious authority, the Vocational Education Committee of the area and the Minister for Education and Skills. The schools are financed entirely by the Ministry of Education and Skills.

Community schools are managed by Boards of Management representative of local interest. These schools offer a broad curriculum embracing both practical and academic subjects. They also provide facilities for adult education and community development projects. These schools are entirely funded by the State through the Ministry of Education and Skills.

Religious Diversity

An anomaly in the region, Framland is officially 87.4% Roman Catholic. Framish Catholic roots were established when the Catholic Bishop of Skolkan built his palace in Freja in 1689. Early monks set up monasteries throughout the country, particularly along the coastline, becoming a fixed feature of the Framish landscape. Many monasteries grew in size and importance, establishing a unique way of life and exhibiting special political and cultural influence. This political influence was the most apparent in the relationship between Bishop Une Angerman and the Duke of Framland during the move to independence from Skolkan. However, there has been a massive decline in adherence to Roman Catholicism among Frams. Between 2004 and 2009, regular Mass attendance, already previously in decline, declined from 60% to 48%. (It had been 90%+ in 1973.)

The second largest religion, the Lutheran Church of Framland, is in decline, with a largely elderly membership. In recent years, it has been forced to close down many of its rural churches, and even some in urban areas. A similar phenomenon is also affecting the very small Jewish Congregation in Framland. This nationwide decline affecting all denominations correlates to the increased number of Frams who now profess atheism.

Common Languages

The country is ethnically homogeneous, the dominant ethnicity being Framish. The official language is Framish, but Torrikan is a common language found particularly along the western border. Also found in the northern region of the country is a small Sami‐speaking community. In the larger urban areas, it is common to find many Frams that speak English as a second language.

Criminal Activity

Crimes of non‐political violence are rare, though some, such as spousal and child abuse, may go unreported. Most major crimes, and the crimes important in popular culture, are those of burglary, theft, larceny, and corruption. Crimes rates are moderately high in urban areas, which in some views results from the poverty endemic to some inner cities. There is a general respect for the law and its agents, but other social controls also exist to sustain moral order. Such institutions as the Catholic Church and the state education system are partly responsible for the overall adherence to rules and respect for authority.

Corruption levels have been historically low, but began climbing in 2006. There were 15 confirmed bribery and attempted bribery cases in 2005. That jumped to 116 in 2006 and has been rising every year since then. No corporations were fined and no business prohibitions were imposed for committing bribery.

Framland had an incarceration rate of 36 persons per 100,000 inhabitants as of 2015.

Transnational Crime

Most of the transnational crime is smuggling and human trafficking. Framland is often used as a transit point for Torrike, Norway, Bothnia, and the Gulf of Bothnia. Smuggling is most often committed by organized crime groups or their low-level associates. Smuggling is a lucrative crime in Framland. Criminals use sea routes, land routes, and air routes for opportunistic smuggling. The latest technique being observed is the use of unmanned drones to surveil border crossing sites and actually transport small amounts of illegal products.

Beer and cigarette smuggling. Framland, not being a member of the EU, imposes significant tariffs on cigarettes and beer entering the country. The incentive to buy both of these commodities at seriously reduced prices is great. Criminal gangs, especially from Torrike, have professional distribution networks in Norway and actively use social media.

Drug smuggling. Drug smuggling goes both ways. Locally produced methamphetamines are smuggled out of the country across Europe. Opioids are smuggled in from Asia and Africa. Cocaine and marijuana is brought in from South America.

Human trafficking. This crime is another one that also goes both ways. Humans are trafficked into Framland for sexual slavery in illegal brothels, or as unpaid unskilled laborers. Sometimes the traffickers use Framland as a way point en route to other European countries. Similarly, Framish young women have been kidnapped or tricked into being trafficked into other regions where they fetch high prices. A common ruse is to promise a high paying job in an exotic country to disaffected teens. Too late they discover they have been sold into some sort of slavery that requires an exorbitant repayment to get out.

Transnational Criminal Organizations

Atbrivosana/ATB.

ATB translates directly as “release” and is a cyber-criminal organization operating in every country in the Baltic region. Not associated with the Anonymous movement, they nonetheless use many of the same tactics using a veneer of anarchist political leanings. In truth, they are hackers-for-hire in the criminal world.

ATB Logo

Common tactics include ransomware, distributed denial of services (DDOS) attacks, introduction of malware (logic bombs, worms, viruses, etc.) into servers and individual computers, and defacing public websites. Additionally they run spear-phishing campaigns, brute force hacking techniques, watering-hole attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, drive by downloads, spoofing attacks, rogue software (manipulating databases and changing access credentials), and falsification of information stored in cyberspace. Funding also comes from illegal cryptocurrency mining, money laundering and use of "dark wallets". ATB’s most successful efforts are the following:

• Smuggled large quantities of cocaine and heroin in 2017, from South America into Europe by hacking into the Riga port systems and manipulating the unique 9 digit PIN numbers assigned to every sea going container is allocated. The group were then able to mark the containers as being customs cleared.
• Used financial Trojans to affect a multiple systems across Europe.
• Engaged in targeted intrusion attacks to steal data from large companies.
• Targeted Latvijas Banka in a series of attacks, which have resulted in a large amount of customer data being stolen.

They are not vocal concerning their desires and objectives, and normally assume a low profile even when successful exploiting a bank system or spreading malware to target sensitive servers. They are suspected of assisting Donovia in disinformation campaigns in the past. ATP has no allegiance to NATO or the Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC) countries, but will work with them for the right price. ATP is directly linked to the Ziepiekkalns Izturiba (ZI) transnational criminal organization in Latvia and acts for self-benefit, as a provider of services, or even as an extension of a criminal network.

ATB Organization

Cyber analysts agree that ATB is a small organization, working regionally in support of ZI, and does not go for high cyber targets. This being said, ATB has caused embarrassment to the security services, by being able to bypass, and hack around multiple system logs to grant access to buildings, clear customs, and even steal information.

Donovian Mafia. An extension of the Donovian Mafia in the Caucasus, their membership now includes some Frams. While openly proud of their Donovian heritage, the main victims of their activities are Donovian expatriates working and living in Framland. The Donovian Mafia specializes in prostitution, drug trafficking, money laundering, smuggling, protection, and extortion. Recently they have included illegal cryptocurrency mining and money laundering to their list of capabilities. Members greet each other as “moy va brat” (my brother). Non-members are never referred to with that title. Unlike the Torrike branch, the Donovian Mafia in Framland is a carefully structured Cosa Nostra–type family with one leader (Otets), a second-in-command and adviser (Vtoroy) with a series of subordinate leaders (Ulichnyy komandir). They have specific rules (Ponyatiya) about member activities and expectations of the organization, of which violations result in death. In 2016, Bothnian customs officials seized 32 kg of methamphetamine's being smuggled from Framland to Donovia. The perpetrators were all known associates of the Donovian Mafia.

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

EUROPOL is especially concerned about the spread of outlaw motorcycle gangs into Europe from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Since 2005, there has been steady growth in the membership of such gangs worldwide. In Europe, the number of clubs has more than doubled.

Founded originally in the southeastern United States, Furnace is the only biker gang in Framland. No other clubs existed in Framland following the ‘Nordic Biker Wars’ of the 1990s. This is a multi-racial gang, unlike most other clubs which are organized along racial lines. However, in Framland, only ethnic Frams have been encountered by law enforcement. Other large U.S. gangs are attempting to establish themselves in Framland. This has led to violent encounters which have made national attention. Furnace MC in Framland specializes in local methamphetamine production and distribution, smuggling, extortion, and murder for hire. Several court cases have linked them as contract killers for the Donovian Mafia. Furnace MC is known to work closely with the Bocyowicz Crime Family (BCF) in Atropia. See DATE Caucasus for more information on BCF.

Furnace MC Framland

FURNACE MC define themselves as “the oven where trash is burned and steel is hardened”. Club colors are black and red. Full members wear back patch of a flaming skull. Top rocker is club name. Bottom rocker is chapter location. MC patch on right. 1%er patch on left. In Otso, this is translated to “Yksi Prosentti”: Otsan language translation for One Percenter, or outlaw biker, and adopted by the Framland chapter. The name “FLAMER” is the only name tag allowed on the front of a member’s colors unless he is the chapter president or enforcer. Prospects wear only the bottom rocker on the back, and an embroidered name tag in the left-front which says “BLASTER”. No other patches are allowed on a prospect’s colors.

Titles/Name tags:

• “Breaker”. Chapter President.
• “Blaster”. Prospective member, usually a year or longer, must “survive the blast”, or successfully complete all tasks assigned without question or concern.
• “Flamer”. Full patch member.
• “Destructor”. Club enforcer, a member who has killed for the club. A "Destructor" is a special member function that ends the life of a competitor. The purpose of the "Destructor" is to free up the resources of the victim and acquire them for the club.

Club tattoos are allowed only for full members. Anyone with these tattoos that are not Furnace members (including Blasters) will be beaten, and the tattoo will be removed with a razor or burned off with a torch. All full members have the black flames on their right forearm. The flaming skull shown in the photo on either the right or left shoulder indicates a "Destructor". Full members may have the back patch tattooed to their back. Flame representations may only be red or black. All clothing and accessories with Furnace emblems are considered club property and are kept when a member dies or leaves the club.

Flamer Club Tattoo

Destructor Club Tattoo

Human Rights / Universal Health Care

The public health care system of Framland is governed by Health Act 2004, which established a new body to be responsible for providing health and personal social services to everyone living in Framland – the Health Service Executive (HSE). The National Health Service came into being officially on 1 January 2005; however the new structures are still currently in the process of being established as the reform program continues. HSE executes the policies set forth by the Minister for Health and Children. In addition to the public sector, there is also a large private healthcare market. The quality of health care facilities in Framland is of very high standards and is similar in structure to that of the U.K. In some rural areas, facilities are limited, but access to town‐based facilities is widely available. Health care in Framland is predominantly free to those eligible.

The public health system, despite massive expenditures in recent years, has some problems. An ongoing issue is the “waiting lists” for those requiring, in some cases, serious operations. In 2008, 76% of inpatients were admitted to hospitals for operations immediately, 11% had to wait up to one month, four percent had to wait up to three months, one percent had to wait up to six months, and 4% had to wait for over six months for operations. For outpatients, 23% were seen on time, 44% were seen within 30 minutes, 18% waited more than an hour, and seven percent waited two hours or more.

In 2017, 23.8% of the population over 16 years old had a “chronic illness or health problem” and 24.9% of the population over 16 were classed as smokers. The major causes of death are heart disease, accounting for 21% of all deaths; trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers, 12%; cerebrovascular disease (stroke), 10%; and lower respiratory infection, five percent.

Health Standards

All residents in Framland are entitled to receive health care through the public health care system, which is managed by the Health Service Executive and funded by general taxation. A person may be required to pay a subsidized fee for certain health care received; this depends on income, age, illness or disability. All maternity services and child care up to age six months are provided free of charge. Emergency care is provided at a small cost for a visit to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

Air pollution, mainly by fine particles and ground level ozone, continues to pose a significant threat to health: it shortens average life expectancy in WCE by almost one year and affects the healthy development of children. However, the limited data available indicates that the main health threat is from small particles and their toxic constituents. Framland like most GBCC countries have a very high standard of safe drinking water.

Primary and Secondary Care

Primary health care in Framland is mostly provided by general practitioners (GPs), who operate as sole traders or in health centers with other general practitioners (GP) and sometimes nurses. Most GPs also offer house visits to their patients, with there being emergency “out‐of‐hours” GP services available in all parts of the country. Health center’s provide a wide range of primary care and community services in towns and villages throughout Framland, and are run by the HSE. Some services available at these clinics include GP services, public health nurses, social work and child protective services, child health services, community welfare, disability services, geriatric services, speech therapy, addiction counseling and treatment, psychiatric services, and more. These services are available for free or at a subsidized rate.

Many hospitals in Framland are operated directly by the HSE. There are also hospitals run under a voluntary basis by organizations. Some are teaching hospitals operated in conjunction with a university. There are also many private hospitals. Hospitals in Framland generally offer a full range of health care including accident and emergency services.

The Medical Card – which entitles holders to free hospital care, GP visits, dental services, optical services, aural services, prescription drugs and medical appliances – is available to those receiving welfare payments, low earners, those with certain long –term or severe illnesses and in other special cases. Many political parties support extending the availability of the Medical Card to eventually cover every resident in Framland – they currently cover 31.9% of the population. Those on slightly higher incomes are eligible for a GP Visit Card which entitles the holder to free general practitioner visits. For persons over 70 years who are entitled to a medical card or GP visit card they instead receive an annual cash grant of US$2000 up to a certain income.

People who are not eligible to a Medical Card must pay fees for certain health care services. There is a US$200 A&E charge for those who attend an accident and emergency department without a referral letter from a family doctor (a visit to which usually costs US$50‐75). Hospital charges (for inpatients) are a flat fee of $150 per day up to a maximum of $1,510 in any twelve month period, irrespective of the actual care received. Specialist assessments and diagnostic assessments (such as X‐rays, laboratory tests, physiotherapy, etc.) are provided for free. If a person cannot afford to pay hospital charges, the HSE will provide the services free of charge.

Centers of Social Power

Civil society is well‐developed, and nongovernmental organizations serve all classes, professions, regions, occupations, ethnic groups, and charitable causes. Some are very powerful, such as the Framish Farmers association, while others, such as the international charitable organization, Mercy, a Catholic agency for world development, command widespread financial and moral support. Framland is one of the highest per capital contributors to private international aid in the world. Other international organizations with national chapters in Framland include CARE International, Greenpeace, Save the Children, Amnesty International, and the Red Cross.

Business Associations

The Framish Business and Employers’ Confederation (FBEC). FEBC was formed in 1993 during an unlikely merger between the Federation of Framish Employers (FFE) and the Confederation of Framish Industry (CFI). For many years, the FFE had been the most significant of a number of employers’ organizations, and the only one with a universal orientation and having industrial relations as its main concern. The CFI was an industry lobbying group, representing industry in matters other than employment and industrial relations, such as taxation, Government subsidies, foreign trade policy, and industrial development. FBEC as an organization is politically neutral, and offers its services to all employers, whether unionized or not, whether non‐profit or profit‐oriented, and whether Framish or multinational. Its income is entirely derived from membership subscriptions. Within its industrial relations function it provides information to members via a monthly bulletin and other publications, carries out surveys and holds training courses on issues such as health and safety and employment equality. It also provides advice and assistance to members with industrial relations difficulties: representing companies at hearings of the Labor Court, Labor Relations Commission, or Employment Appeals Tribunal, taking part in union/management negotiations, consulting with trade unions and so on.

Framish Congress of Trade Unions (FCTU). FCTU is the single umbrella organization for trade unions in Framland. Formed in 1959 by the merger of the Framish Trade Union Congress and the Congress of

Framish Unions, FCTU incorporates 15 unions, with total membership of 837,700 (2016). Trade union members represent 35.1% of the workforce. This is a significant decline since the 55.3% recorded in 1980 and the 38.5% reported in 2003. In Framland, over 60% of union members are in the public sector. The supreme policy‐making body of Congress is the Biennial Delegate Conference, to which affiliated unions send delegates. On a day‐to‐day basis, an Executive Committee runs Congress and a staffed secretariat headed up by the General Secretary.

The Technical, Industrial, Professional and Services Union (TIPSU). TIPSU is the largest union in Framland with roughly 200,000 members. The union was formed in 1990 with the merger of the Framish Transport and General Workers’ Union and the Federated Workers’ Union of Framland. TIPSU is a general union which organizes across the public and private sectors in Framland and has large numbers of members working in construction, health, education, transport, and manufacturing. In recent years, the union has taken a lead in the organization of migrant workers in Framland and in campaigning on the twin issues of the exploitation of migrant workers, particularly those from Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, and the consequent displacement of Framish workers from employment.

Upper Class

Aside from the immediate members of the Royal Family and a few lords and ladies whose families originate from Skolkan rule, Framland does not have a typical upper‐class in the general sense. Within society there are some well‐established Framish families who began accumulating wealth before independence and who have continued to prosper. Corporate business owners are the only distinguishable group which belong to the upper class that did not gain their status through family connections.

Middle Class

The largest and most influential segment of society within Framland is the middle class. The middle class can be divided into the upper middle classes from the traditional professions – doctors, lawyers, etc. – and the mobile middle classes – teachers, nurses, certain trades, etc. – who are in the process of owning properties. The mobile middle class may not be well‐off, but they have the ability and the resources to become wealthy.

Working Class

The working classes, which also can be sub‐divided into semi‐skilled and unskilled, with the skilled being better off than the unskilled who have little job security and little chance of buying their own home. The working class identity has always been quite weak in Framland. Although the trade unions have had some influence in Framland, they have never managed to capture the imagination of working class Framish people in the way that the Labor party managed to in Britain for example. This may be in part due to Framland being by‐passed during the industrial revolution and never developing the visible divisions present in other industrialized countries.

Social Mobility

Use of language, especially dialect, is a clear indicator of class and other social standing. Dress codes have relaxed over the last generation, but the conspicuous consumption of important symbols of wealth and success, such as designer clothing, good food, travel, and expensive cars and houses, provides important strategies for class mobility and social advancement. Research suggests that mobility between classes is very difficult. This is most clearly illustrated by educational outcomes for children in Framish schools. Working class children have only a four percent chance of completing university, even when external factors influencing their learning are controlled for. Among Junior and Leaving Certificate pupils, working‐class pupils are found to achieve significantly lower exam grades relative to their initial ability levels than their middle‐class counterparts. More generally, in public discourse people from poorer working class families are seen as problematic – little attention is paid to the processes that limit and exclude them from the opportunities afforded to the middle‐classes.

Basic Cultural Norms and Values

Gender Issues

Changes in legislation on maternity, adoptive leave, parental leave, and the development of a childcare infrastructure have resulted in a narrowing of the gap between women and men in the labor market; however, employment rates for women with children in Framland remain one of the lowest among GBCC countries. More reforms of after‐school childcare, taxation and child support are needed to encourage and retain more women in the workforce.

The Framish government has adopted gender mainstreaming as a strategy to promote equal opportunities between women and men in the National Development Plan (NDP). In the eyes of Frams, this is important, as women and men often have different access to resources, and carry out different tasks in their daily lives. For example, 63% of Framish men have a driving license compared to 46% of Framish women. As a result, women are more likely than men to use public transport. Seventy three percent of men are in the labor force compared to 50% of women. Based upon these ratios, the Framish government has concluded that women are more likely to travel to destinations not relating to work. Under the NDP, lawmakers and city planners must take a gender equality perspective in mainstream transport policies taking into consideration public transport provisions – establishing stops not just to places of work but also to areas which women are more likely to travel than men. Gender mainstreaming is a requirement for all policies and programs funded under the NDP.

An NDP Gender Equality Unit was established in the Ministry of Justice, Equality and Law Reform , to provide support and advice to policy makers and implementers on how to meet the gender mainstreaming.

Young women are much more likely than their mothers to be working or looking for a job. The labor participation rate of younger women (those aged 25 to 34) has increased from 30% in 1985 to 76% in 2009. In contrast, only a third of women aged 55 to 64 have a job, not only because of social attitudes, but also because their education levels are comparatively poor. Even so, participation by the younger cohorts is still below the GBCC average. In addition, there is a striking difference in labor market participation between women with and without children. Among women aged 25‐54 who have two or more children below age 16, the full‐time employment rate is only 22%.

In 2008, Framland had the eighth lowest proportion of women in parliament at 13.3% in Europe. By 2017, around 14% of county authority members and 17% of local authority members were women. Around 59% of women in the Civil Service were clerical officers as compared with only ten percent of Assistant Secretaries.