LO Pushes for Reduced Working Hours as Feasible Solution for Swedish Workforce
The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) advocates for reduced working hours, stating it's financially feasible as unions prepare for negotiations.
Key Points
- • LO advocates for reduced working hours in Sweden, asserting financial feasibility.
- • Chairman Johan Lindholm calls for shorter work hours for all workers.
- • Transport union pushes for legislation while others prefer negotiations.
- • LO plans to finalize its strategy on working hours reduction by the end of 2025.
The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) is actively pursuing a reduction in working hours for all employees, asserting that Sweden has the financial capacity to implement this change. In a recent statement, LO's chairman Johan Lindholm said, "It is time to reduce working hours for everyone who works in Sweden. We can simply afford it."
Since last autumn, LO has been researching the viability of shorter working hours, responding to a mandate from its congress held the previous summer. While the Transport union has pushed for legislation to guarantee reduced hours, voices within LO favor negotiation solutions instead. Transport's vice chairman, Lars Mikaelsson, acknowledged the difficulties of achieving an agreement through this latter avenue.
Interestingly, the Kommunal union, which once supported legislative action, has now shifted towards negotiations, with chairman Malin Ragnegård stating they want to explore all options available. The Social Democrats are expected to make significant decisions regarding work hour reductions during their congress this weekend, with a strong resolution from Ragnegård potentially increasing pressure on the issue.
As for the specifics of how Kommunal will approach potential compromises regarding salary adjustments in return for shorter hours, Ragnegård remarked that it is premature to provide clarity. The LO intends to outline its comprehensive strategy for the reduction of working hours by the end of 2025, potentially mirroring traditional collective bargaining methods for negotiations.