W ORKING IN S WEDEN Basuki Endah Priyanto, PhD Staff Engineer – Algorithm & Simulation ST-Ericsson, Lund - Sweden
O UTLINE Swedish Innovation Finding and applying a Job Working Conditions, Taxes. Typical Swedish Work Place Inter-cultural Summary 2 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
S WEDISH I NNOVATION (I) Large number of multinational export companies and brands have their origin in Sweden. For example: Ericsson, Volvo, AstraZeneca, ABB, IKEA, Electrolux, H&M, Saab and SKF. Swedish industry has become more and more research-intensive and is characterized by a high level of technological development. Knowledge-intensive industries such as IT, biotechnology/biomedicine and environmental technology are expected to be increasingly important. 3 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
S WEDISH I NNOVATION (II) Modern research at Swedish universities and companies results in a number of successful inventions For example: the computer mouse, Bluetooth for internet mobility, the pacemaker, the AXE telephone exchange, the Tetra Pak beverage packaging system, the dialysis machine, the Brånemark System (osseointegration) and the Leksell Gamma knife (surgery). Another examples: The Celsius thermometer, the safety match, the ship propeller, dynamite, the cream separator, the adjustable wrench, the ball bearing, the unmanned lighthouse and the steam turbine. Sweden has long been at the forefront of research in natural science 4 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
F INDING A J OB Public Employment Services: Brochure: Looking for work in Sweden? under Other languages Vacancies: under Platsbanken and Söka Jobb EURES Swedish newspapers Adeccowww.adecco.sewww.adecco.se Lerniawww.lernia.sewww.lernia.se Manpowerwww.manpower.sewww.manpower.se Profficewww.proffice.sewww.proffice.se Monsterwww.monster.sewww.monster.se Company websites 5 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
A PPLYING A J OB is frequently used and accepted. Applications should be typewritten in Swedish or English. An application consists of: personal letter (no more than 1 page, often less) your CV (1-2 pages) References (can also be given at the interview) You may be asked to present evidence of professional qualifications and diplomas later on. Recognition of foreign diplomas – Naric 6 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
G ET A WORK PERMIT — STEP BY STEP Receive a written offer of employment. - Your employer sends the job offer to the concerned trade union for approval of salary and working conditions. - After approval, the trade union sends it back to the employer. - The employer sends it to you, the future employee, who submit it when you apply for the work permit. Apply for a work permit at the Swedish Migration Board. - If applicable, apply for family work and residence permits. Receive your work permit at the Swedish embassy or consulate. Arrive in Sweden. Göteborg, 11 November Working in Sweden
W ORKING C ONDITIONS Temporary or Permanent contracts 6 months probationary employment Full time, 40 hours per week 25 days vacation per year (right to take 4 consecutive weeks holiday in the summer) Parental leave (up to 480 days / child !) No national minimum wage. Collective agreements in most occupations ensure fair wages. 8 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
T AXES Council Tax between %, average 31 %. State Tax + 20% of the income over SEK + 25% of the income over SEK (per annum) Example (per month): SEK net income of SEK SEK net income of SEK 9 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011 www. skatteverket.se/
T YPICAL S WEDISH W ORK P LACE “Flat” organizations Team work You must be able to take initiatives and adapt to new situations. Casual and informalities. Gender equality (Sweden is ranked in the top three in the 2008 edition of The Gender Gap Index). Strong trade unions 10 Working in Sweden Göteborg, 11 November 2011
C ULTURAL T YPES : S WEDEN ? I NDONESIA ? Göteborg, 11 November Working in Sweden
CULTURES INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES Göteborg, 11 November Working in Sweden
S UMMARY Sweden is a country of opportunities, especially in the following areas: telecom, Information Technology, biotechnology / biomedicine and environmental technology. The Swedish working climate is characterized by a casual atmosphere, and flat organization. Be aware of the different cultural types between Indonesia and Sweden and adapt yourself ! Lastly … be confident and don’t give up. Göteborg, 11 November Working in Sweden
R EFERENCES Göteborg, 11 November Working in Sweden