Precarisation of work for youth in Sweden

Sweden – the Myth Strong employment protection legislation. Trade union influence over restructuring and dismissals. Generous unemployment insurance system. Active labour market policy programmes helping the unemployed get back to work.

Sweden – the Truth Few obstacles to dismissals for economic or organisational reasons. Trade union influence concentrated on dividing the social cost, not the dismissals as such. Unemployment insurance system on average European level. Spending on active labour market policy programmes on historical low. Employers virtually free to use fixed-term instead of indefinite term contracts – no objective ground needed.

Youth unemployment – risks Youth unemployment, age year – 24 % Low or no education – long time unemployment Education or work experience - employment

The way forward? Intern- and traineeships Guidens to the labour market Link between school and working life Bridge between generations

Sweden – the Current Debate Employment protection legislation (EPL) temporarily off the political agenda. - Centre-right government does not consider EPL an obstacle to growth and employment. - Centre-left opposition does not believe that stricter EPL could ave jobs. - Social partners have not been able to reach agreement over reforms of last-in-first-out order of priority. Political debate centered on the unemployment insurance and active labour market policies.

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Legislation is semi-mandatory Most key provisions in the Swedish Employment Protection Act are semi-mandatory - the law can be deviated from by means of collective agreements, also to insert provisions less favourable to the workers. To have this effect, the collective agreement must have been - entered into or approved by a trade union federation, or - the local union and the employer already be bound by a collective agreement regulating other subjects, entered into or approved by a federation.