[Sweden] Foreign workers feel shut out of jobs market by strict labour laws

In Sweden, negotiations are ongoing over how to reform the Employment Protection Act (Lagen om anställningsskydd or LAS). Sweden's Social Democrats made a commitment to reform the law under the January agreement winning the backing of the economically liberal Centre Party. A review into the law - published in June - reportedly proposed allowing companies to exempt up to five employees from the 'last in, first out' rule during any round of layoffs and to exempt companies of fifteen employees or less completely from this rule.  

The existing laws protect people who have jobs but some argue they make companies reluctant to give people permanent employment. This is a particular problem for foreigners trying to establish themselves in Sweden, who report that they are routinely laid-off before their six-month probationary period comes to an end. Other foreign workers say they are given a series of short contracts - 'korttidsanställning' - and then let go before they have worked enough days for the company to have to give them a permanent job, under Swedish law. The Local spoke to three foreigners to get their perspective on and experiences of Sweden’s hiring and firing laws.

In Sweden, negotiations are ongoing over how to reform the Employment Protection Act (Lagen om anställningsskydd or LAS). Sweden's Social Democrats made a commitment to reform the law under the January agreement winning the backing of the economically liberal Centre Party. A review into the law - published in June - reportedly proposed allowing companies to exempt up to five employees from the 'last in, first out' rule during any round of layoffs and to exempt companies of fifteen employees or less completely from this rule.  

The existing laws protect people who have jobs but some argue they make companies reluctant to give people permanent employment. This is a particular problem for foreigners trying to establish themselves in Sweden, who report that they are routinely laid-off before their six-month probationary period comes to an end. Other foreign workers say they are given a series of short contracts - 'korttidsanställning' - and then let go before they have worked enough days for the company to have to give them a permanent job, under Swedish law. The Local spoke to three foreigners to get their perspective on and experiences of Sweden’s hiring and firing laws.