This paper aims to give a flavour of the latest developments across Europe and inform policy makers of topical issues. It will present measures taken in response to the recession (both employment market measures and financial stimulus packages), outline the extent of social partner involvement, and
This report uses research findings from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) to outline important features of the Swedish labour market in general, and the industrial relations system in particular, as well as the issues both are currently facing.
The 1982 Employment Protection Act (LAS [1]) regulates the relationship between the employer and the employee and is a central feature of Swedish labour legislation. The Act applies to all employees and is designed to ensure that they are hired in permanent employment, and cannot be dismissed unless
During the early 1990s, Sweden experienced high unemployment and rising inflation. To avoid large pay increases that could threaten the country’s economic stability, the Swedish government advised unions and employers to set up a new framework for wage setting and negotiations within industry. Since
Accidents in the workplace constitute the major part of the cost to society of poor working conditions [1]. However, the true costs are difficult to assess as the cost items related to the accidents are numerous and some are partially hidden. [1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork
Charlotta Magnusson’s recent doctoral thesis [1] from the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI [2]) at Stockholm University examined the link between the gender composition of occupations and wage differences. [1] http://su.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?searchId=1&pid=diva2:284166 [2] http
On 6 October 2010, newly-elected Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt presented his new government and its agenda for the coming four years of office. Most of it had been known since the election campaign, and the Prime Minister spoke optimistically about the trend towards lower unemployment and
The number of berry pickers in Sweden is difficult to estimate, but is likely to be around 6,000 workers, mainly from East Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and China. The fact that they are sometimes recruited by foreign agencies makes the monitoring of their working
A survey conducted by the newspaper Kommunalarbetaren (KA [1]) in the first half of 2010 revealed an increasing use of split-shift working, a system where employees are expected to take a long unpaid break in the middle of their working day. This trend is particularly prevalent in the municipal and
A new study in Sweden has examined the current knowledge base on psychosocial factors and the links to musculosketal disorders (MSDs) by examining 81 different studies on the subject. The link between an unfavourable psychosocial environment and the prevalence of MSDs is well established, with a
The summer of 2010 marks the end of an intense period during which wage agreements were made for about two million employees in Sweden’s industry sector (the negotiations for the public sector will start shortly after the summer). Even before the negotiations began it was apparent that wage setting