Social Democrat Ardalan Shekarabi criticizes the Swedish government's lack of action on unemployment, labeling recent political disputes as distractions. The government plans to raise wage requirements for work permits, but this is opposed by Labor Minister Johan Britz, causing tension with coalition partners. Shekarabi calls for more government initiatives to tackle rising unemployment.
Shekarabi Criticizes Government's Approach to Unemployment: 'Pretend Dispute'
Shekarabi Criticizes Government's Approach to Unemployment: 'Pretend Dispute'
Social Democrat Ardalan Shekarabi believes the government is not doing enough to reduce unemployment.
The government had previously planned to raise the wage requirement for obtaining work permits in Sweden. However, according to Dagens Nyheter, Labor Minister Johan Britz (L) wants to halt these plans, which would contradict the Tidö Agreement.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Britz noted that they have already raised the wage floor to 80% of the median salary and that further increases would create significant uncertainty.
– This is something that representatives from the business community and public employers have expressed, and it would be wise to listen to them. There are many professions in Sweden where the labor shortage is so severe that foreign qualified expertise is needed, says Johan Britz.
He adds that the issue will now be handled within the government coalition, but the Liberals' stance is clear.
– We need to rethink, says Britz.
'No Intention to Renegotiate via Media'
The statement has sparked strong reactions from the Sweden Democrats, who claim they respect agreements with their coalition partners.
– I think it would be appropriate if the Labor Minister could also have that approach, says Magnus Persson (SD), chairman of the parliamentary labor market committee, in a comment to Expressen, and continues:
– We do not intend to renegotiate political agreements via media; instead, the Liberals are welcome to raise this within the framework of our negotiations.
S-Top: 'Pretend Dispute'
Social Democrat labor market policy spokesperson Ardalan Shekarabi sees the whole situation as a 'pretend dispute.'
– We also see that the minister is spending energy pretending to argue with the Sweden Democrats on the issue of labor immigration. But we know what will happen; they have an agreement. Focus is diverted to such issues instead of addressing unemployment, says Shekarabi.
The Social Democrats also do not want increased wage requirements for work permits in Sweden; their idea is instead for a needs assessment of labor.
– That is the best. If there is a need for labor, we should bring in labor. That has been our line for a long time, he says.
Unemployment Rises in Sweden
Meanwhile, unemployment in Sweden is rising. In the second quarter, the figure increased by 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period last year, according to SCB's labor force survey, AKU.
Ardalan Shekarabi believes the situation is serious. He wants to see more initiatives from the government.
– It is a major failure. We are among the countries in the EU with the highest unemployment now, yet no political initiatives are coming, says Shekarabi and continues:
– Investments in education are needed, investments in driving licenses are needed, and there needs to be a job agency that is present to meet companies and job seekers, which does not exist today.