News

Full employment and decent work the biggest challenge

Well-functioning labour market lays the foundation for development, growth and improved welfare in Sweden and internationally,. This was one of the conclusions of the meeting of the LO General Council on 14 May. Guy Ryder, the Director-General of the ILO was a guest speaker at the meeting.

LO documentary exposes the impacts of the Swedish government’s politics

In the run-up to the general elections, LO has produced a documentary: "Reinfeldt’s Sweden". This project is unique in political campaigning in Sweden

Swedish trade unions’ policy on negotiations on a free trade agreement between EU and USA

The boards of LO, TCO and Saco have adopted a policy paper that aims to provide a brief background to the ongoing negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the United States. It describes the starting points and the minimum demands of the Swedish trade union movement in order for us to maintain a positive view on the transatlantic agreement.

Release the imprisoned Iranian trade union activists

The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, is on a visit to Iran today. Mr Bildt hopes to be able to start a dialogue on human rights when meeting the Iranian leadership. This is not a day too soon. LO urges the Foreign Minister to devote particular focus to human rights in these discussions.

LO and The Swedish Olympic Committee agree on respect for labour rights in connection with international sports events

Sustainability and fair conditions are to distinguish the Olympic Games. It is important to show that major international events can in all aspects be built on the respect for human rights for all.

LO and the Social Democrats demand the introduction of a social protocol in the EU Treaty

To secure jobs and to create better balance between economic freedoms and fundamental rights for wage-earners in the EU internal market, LO and the Social Democrats demand the introduction of a social protocol to the EU treaty.

The Swedish government violates international work environment rules

Annual cuts in allocations to the Swedish Work Environment Authority have in recent years resulted in many deficiencies as regards the authority’s activities. These deficiencies contribute to the fact that Sweden no longer fulfills the requirements of the ILO conventions, ratified by Sweden.

Important decision strengthens workers' rights in Europe

The Swedish government receives severe criticism by the European Committee of Social Rights for the so-called 'Lex Laval', i.e. amendments to the Swedish legislation following the judgment in the Laval case. The restrictions of the right to organise and collective bargaining entailed by the Lex Laval are rejected by the Committee

Influence and dominance among LO women and men

LO has, with a certain degree of regularity, mapped women’s and men’s access to decision-making and other influential bodies within LO and the affiliated unions. The latest mapping was made in 2002 and it showed a considerable shortage of women in all the decision-making bodies of the union movement.

LO surveys work environment of temporary personnel

Occupational health and safety for those in temporary employment is often neglected. LO will therefore carry out a survey concerning the work environment of temporary / contracted staff. What is needed is increased awareness of the fact that the Work Environment Act and regulations apply to all workers

A growing number of young people do not qualify for upper secondary school

In a new report dealing with the situation of young people in Sweden today, LO studies the connection between school, children’s conditions under childhood and unemployment. To an increasing extent, having completed upper secondary school is a precondition of getting a foothold on the labour market.

Deteriorating work environment for LO women

LO’s report Work Environment 2012, which was presented in late June, shows that differences in work environment are increasing in terms of class and gender. Work environment is more and more deteriorating for blue-collar workers. Those who suffer from the most deteriorated work environment are female workers.

Fewer young people with unemployment benefit

According to a LO report, the number of young jobless persons in Sweden receiving remuneration from the unemployment fund has decreased by 76 percent since 2006 in spite of the escalation of unemployment.

Dare to choose the welfare state

The welfare state is a less stable basis than we often assume. Those middle-aged pay today for the care they will receive when they get old. This is a long-term commitment. If the quality is poor or the system is perceived as unstable, they may be forced to barter away welfare state as strategy. This is explained in LO economists’ new report.

The labour market and LO must be made more equal

In spite of decades of work, politicians, trade unions, employers and citizens have not managed to eliminate the prevailing inequality in society. LO now, in its capacity as trade union organisation, makes fresh efforts to boost equality in working life as well as within LO.

ILO: Swedish Laval Legislation Violates Freedom of Association

In its annual report, the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) has found the legislation that Sweden adopted as a result of the EU Court of Justice’s ruling in the Laval case to be in violation of fundamental trade union rights.

Exploitation of immigrant workers not to pass unpunished

LO strategy for restriction of profits in the welfare system

LO demands in the 2013 round of wage negotiations

Nordic Trade Unions’ congress focused on sustainable working life