Sweden: Social partners split on issue of fixed-term employment

Uncertain and fixed-term employment contracts have been under discussion in Sweden, with social partners remaining split on the issue.

On 20 October 2014, the Swedish Federation of Trade Unions (LO) released a report on forms of employment in Sweden which included statistics and attitudes towards part-time and fixed-term employment. The report shows that fixed-term contracts are most likely to be used when hiring young adults, blue-collar workers and women. The figures revealed that 52% of young people between 16 and 24 years-old were in fixed-term employment. Across the working population, 15% were on fixed contracts and, of these, eight out of ten said they would prefer a permanent contract.

The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (SN) argued that the LO report had misinterpreted the findings to fit its own agenda. The employers also said the time period chosen for the study had skewed the results.