Sweden: clashes over unemployment insurance reform

The victory of the Alliance, grouping of the Swedish center and right-wing parties, was based on the commitment taken by its leader, Fredrick Reinfeldt, to respect the Swedish model and to bring more flexibility in the job market. Mr Reinfeldt, now Prime Minister, faces strong opposition to his unemployment insurance reform, due to be implemented in January 2007. (Ref 061154)
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Making work more attractive. During his inauguration speech before the Swedish Parliament on October 6th, 2006, Prime Minister Fredrick Reinfeldt introduced his program, stressing his employment policy. He notably announced that, to make work more attractive, the unemployment insurance system would be reformed:

  • A study will be made to determine how to make unemployment insurance compulsory. Currently, unemployment insurance is an exception in the Swedish social landscape: it is not mandatory an
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