Make Sweden Work for Working People
General election in Sweden
We do our share – every single day, all year round. But for far too long, working people have been left behind. While wages stagnate, the richest have received massive tax cuts. The gaps are growing wider. Now it is time to make Sweden work for working people.
Today, the equivalent of 77 industrial workers’ wages equals the average income of the economic elite. In 1980, it was nine.
On 13 September, Sweden holds a general election. And we, Sweden’s workers, are not asking for anything unreasonable.
Put Sweden to Work
The government’s failed employment policy is a waste of Sweden’s resources.
It is time to stop the talk and start delivering real jobs. Build a stronger Sweden – instead of handing tax cuts to the richest.
Create jobs by investing more, expanding vocational training and ensuring that the Public Employment Service works across the entire country. 100,000 more people are unemployed than in 2022.
That is why LO demands:
More investment to create jobs
More staff in welfare services
Expanded vocational training
Employment services available nationwide
Secure unemployment benefits at 80 per cent
At least 40,000 new homes per year
No tax cuts for the richest
Abolish the Waiting Period Deduction
Getting sick can cost a care assistant more than SEK 1,000 – just for falling ill.
At the same time, others can keep their full income by working from home.
Sweden is the only country in the Nordic region with a waiting period deduction.
It is time to abolish this unfair penalty on those who cannot work from home.
Cost after tax for one day of sick leave: train driver: SEK 1,500, care assistant: SEK 1,180, cleaner: SEK 1,005, truck driver: SEK 1,230.
That is why LO demands:
Abolish the waiting period deduction for everyone
80 per cent compensation from day one
Raise Pensions – Not the Retirement Age
Low pensions and a higher retirement age are a betrayal of Sweden’s working people. Politicians must act now. Pensions must be raised and increases to the retirement age must stop.
People who have worked hard should not be punished because their bodies cannot hold up until retirement age.
Those who have carried Sweden on their backs deserve fairness and respect. 7 in 10 workers worry about their pension. 8 in 10 do not want the retirement age to be raised.
That is why LO demands:
Higher state pensions
An end to increases in the retirement age
A long working life must count for more in the pension system
Security for those who cannot work until retirement
We Want a Crack Down on Workplace Crime
Organised crime has entered our workplaces – and it is destroying Sweden’s labour market. Unscrupulous and criminal operators are making money by exploiting people.
The consequences are unfair competition, fraud and death. This has gone on for far too long. Now it must stop. We need order and clarity in the Swedish labour market. Cheating must be harder, getting caught easier – and punishment tougher.
SEK 100 billion. That is roughly how much criminals earn from workplace crime.
That is why LO demands:
A maximum of two tiers of subcontractors
Significantly tougher penalties for health and safety offences
Fair terms and conditions in all public procurement
More resources to combat labour market crime
Curb welfare fraud
Needs based labour immigration
Extended business bans
We Want to change the Government
This government stands up for the richest – not for working people. Ulf Kristersson has allowed unemployment to rise by 100,000 people, while at the same time cutting unemployment benefits.
Instead of creating jobs, he dodges responsibility and talks his way around the problem.
The government has ignored demands for better pensions and the abolition of the waiting period deduction. Instead, they have delivered significant tax cuts for the richest.
On 13 September, Sweden goes to the polls.
It is time for a change of government:
SEK 6,000 a month, that is how much Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has cut his own tax
Unemployment benefits have been weakened. From day 101, compensation is reduced from 80 to 70 per cent
100,000 more people are unemployed
Sweden must work for working people