Sweden: differing views on the country’s economic situation are influencing the 2017 negotiations

Unions and employers bodies agree that Sweden needs more flexibility in order to attract investors. Yet is this common declaration enough to come to a real agreement? On 21 December 2016 respective negotiation demands were exchanged between the employers body representing roughly 4,000 technology sector companies Teknikföretagen and the unions bodies Unionen (private sector), Sverigesingenjörer (engineers), and If Metall (metal workers), which as well as being prime exporting sectors also set the tone for all subsequent sector negotiations. The core issue centers on acknowledging businesses competitiveness, which will then determine the level of pay rises, and potentially justify specific employers’ demands for productivity improvements.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

‘Classic’ union demands. “There is light at the end of the tunnel and we see 2017 as starting off with a positive outlook,” Nicole Bångstad, economist at Swedbank announced in the Svenska Dagbladet publication, and which was confirmed by Business Sweden’s latest study predicting a rise in Swedish export numbers despite an uncertain international situation. The unions are calling these forecasts optimistic so as to support their own demands. If Metall, Unionen, and Sveriges Ingenjörer largely to

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Germany: a high-tension start to the social and political year
The German government must finalize its major reforms (pension funding, corporate competitiveness, and labor law) while the chancellor’s popularity hits an all-time low and three regional...
Sweden: IF Metall union forced to end industrial dispute with Tesla
The news. After three years of conflict, the Swedish union IF Metall announced it would suspend its strike actions against Tesla starting Wednesday, August 19, after the American automaker...
Canada: a sustainability due diligence proposal on forced labour submitted for consultation
The facts. On July 27, the Canadian government launched a consultation to introduce mandatory corporate due diligence measures regarding forced labor. It plans to require risk identification, the...
25 August 2026
United Kingdom: trade unions can now use electronic and workplace voting
The news. The provisions of the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 authorising electronic and workplace voting for trade union ballots came into force on Tuesday, 25 August. They apply to trade union...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
United Kingdom: trade unions can now use electronic and workplace voting
The news. The provisions of the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 authorising electronic and workplace voting for trade union ballots came into force on Tuesday, 25 August. They apply to trade union...
2
Sweden: IF Metall union forced to end industrial dispute with Tesla
The news. After three years of conflict, the Swedish union IF Metall announced it would suspend its strike actions against Tesla starting Wednesday, August 19, after the American automaker...
3
Germany: a high-tension start to the social and political year
The German government must finalize its major reforms (pension funding, corporate competitiveness, and labor law) while the chancellor’s popularity hits an all-time low and three regional...