This year is election year in Sweden with elections taking place at both national and EU level. The peak-level social partners representing both employers and employees have joined forces in a bid to increase the level of participation in the European Parliament election. Taking a joint stance regarding the EU’s positive impact on Sweden, they maintain that it is time for the people to take an active role in the EU decision-making process.
Background
In 2014, two nationwide elections will be held in Sweden, one for the European Parliament and one for the national government. At the last European Parliament election there was an eight-percentage point increase in the electorate’s participation rate, up from 38% at the previous election to 46% among both men and women. Even so, participation is still considerably lower for European elections than for national general elections.
Social partners unite to promote voting
In early January 2014, four of the main peak-level social partners in Sweden joined forces to encourage people to vote in the upcoming election for the European Parliament. The four organisations are: the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (SACO) and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO), representing the trade union side, and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv) on the employers’ side.
Their main argument, which is detailed in a jointly published article, Take the EU election seriously (in Swedish), is that in Europe xenophobic and isolationist forces are becoming stronger. Given the positive impact of EU membership in Sweden on issues such as the free movement of labour, the heads of the organisations argue that it is of utmost importance that the European Parliament is given a clear mandate from the voters. The joint statement argues:
As representatives of social partners, we are responsible for showing the importance of the EU membership for growth, jobs and welfare in Sweden. Therefore, it is important to take the EU elections seriously.
It argues that the EU protects Sweden’s interests, especially its industry which is challenged by strong international competition. This is a concern for all social partners. It also argues that Sweden must continue to have an impact within the framework of the world’s largest economy, even though other EU countries have been affected far more by the financial crisis.
Focusing on common interests
The four social partners are focusing their debate on issues that they have all publicly agreed on in the past.
Both the Svenskt Näringsliv and the LO have made statements against xenophobia. In late 2013, the Svenskt Näringsliv published a report, Increased integration boosts growth (in Swedish), arguing that Sweden needs immigrants and should be open to labour immigration. Meanwhile, in a press release LO has demanded legislative changes to stop employers from exploiting migrant labour. Similarly, SACO has focused on strengthening the Swedish Migration Board’s (Migrationsverket) powers of inspection to make sure immigrants are not exploited.
The most important topic of common concern is the competitiveness of Swedish industry, which is often the focus of Swedish industrial relations. United in the argument that industry is crucial for Swedish economic growth, the actors nevertheless differ in their views about how competitiveness is to be promoted. The Svenskt Näringsliv and the LO argue for the importance of using negotiated wage development for industry as the norm in all sectors.
Commentary
It is not uncommon for Swedish trade unions and employer organisations to unite when it comes to debating and taking a stance on issues which are of common concern. However, Swedish politics and industrial relations are generally kept separate, especially in matters regarding collective bargaining.
Emilia Johansson, Oxford Research