Labour market

The Government has decided how the Green jobs initiative is to be implemented. The initiative covers the entire country and during the autumn 608 placements are planned for people who are far from the labour market. One aim of the Green jobs initiative is to alleviate unemployment linked to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

The Government proposes a capital injection of SEK 150 million to Lernia AB in the amending budget to be presented to the Riksdag today. This capital injection will give Lernia the conditions to strengthen its financial standing to be able to continue its activities in the area of adult education and staffing.

Minister for Employment Eva Nordmark, together with Denmark’s Minister for Employment Peter Hummelgaard, has sent a letter to European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit. In the letter, they urge the EU to safeguard the Nordic model, in which trade unions and employers negotiate wages.

The Government is investing to assist the green industries in the absence of foreign seasonal workers. SEK 11 million is being invested to facilitate the matching of unemployed people to the green industries.

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are today presenting new measures. A boost for care of the elderly is being implemented that means that employees in care of the elderly will be offered paid education and training during working hours. This will lead to more permanent positions.

Several of the economic measures presented by the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party to mitigate the impact of the virus outbreak will be reinforced, including reimbursement for the first day of sickness and central government responsibility for businesses’ sick pay costs. In addition, the ceiling for unemployment benefits will be raised from day 101.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is increasing the number of student places. One hundred new places are already being created for summer courses this year and the number of places in the foundation year is being increased. The aim is to meet the increased need for education and transition in the labour market as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 virus.

The Government has adopted a bill to enable Sweden to implement the EU’s revised Posting of Workers Directive. The Government proposes a range of legislative amendments that will create more equal conditions for posted workers and domestic workers.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are now presenting further measures to alleviate the impact of the virus outbreak on jobs and the economy in Sweden.

The COVID-19 virus has affected many Swedish companies. The Government therefore decided today to task a coordinator to collaborate with the social partners and the business sector, and to gather information about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the business sector. Anders Ferbe has been appointed as the coordinator.