Labour market

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.

In light of the COVID-19 virus, the Government on March 19 decided that its proposed additional amending budget for 2020 will include a supplementary system of support for short-time work schemes. The new system was presented on Monday by the Government, together with the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, and means that central government will take a greater share of the costs for short-time work in 2020. It is proposed that the new rules enter into force on 7 April, but that they apply from 16 March.

The Government is now presenting additional measures to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The proposals are based on an agreement between the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the Centre Party, the Liberal Party and the Green Party.

Yesterday, Thursday 19 March, EU employment and social ministers took part in an informal video conference. The agenda included issues related to the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19.