Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Healthcare on strike – this is what the union demands

The situation within healthcare in Sweden is no longer sustainable, according to the healthcare union, which has gone on strike. The major point of contention revolves around how many hours per day one should work. Here are some of the union's demands:

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 15:07

» Published: 11 June 2024

Healthcare on strike – this is what the union demands
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

The situation in healthcare in Sweden is no longer sustainable, according to the healthcare union, which has gone on strike. The major point of contention is about how many hours per day one should work.

Here are some of the union's demands:

The major bone of contention between the union and the employers, including the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR) and Sobona, concerns working hours. The Swedish Association of Health Professionals wants to see a gradual reduction in working hours.

In the first instance, they have demanded a reduction in working hours of 75 minutes per week or 15 minutes per day. The union argues that shorter working weeks have been successful in neighbouring Nordic countries.

However, the employers have categorically rejected the demand for shorter working hours, citing economic unviability.

The union also wants to see more "sustainable rotas" so that healthcare staff can get the recovery time they need to be able to work a full career. The Swedish Association of Health Professionals argues that many healthcare workers are forced to work part-time because they cannot cope with the demands of full-time work under current conditions.

"The lack of recovery time leads to staff going part-time, and in the worst case, being signed off sick", wrote the union's chair, Sineva Ribeiro, in a debate article coinciding with the overtime blockade coming into effect on 25 April.

Overall, the Swedish Association of Health Professionals' industrial action is about improving the working environment, but they also want to see higher wages and a reduced pay gap between women and men. The union has not specified exactly how much higher wages they are seeking.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The Government Seeks Support for Those Affected by Northvolt
1 MIN READ

The Government Seeks Support for Those Affected by Northvolt

The regional tax will be raised next year
1 MIN READ

The regional tax will be raised next year

Astra Zeneca's China Chief Arrested by Police
1 MIN READ

Astra Zeneca's China Chief Arrested by Police

More rate cuts - but risk of turmoil with Trump
2 MIN READ

More rate cuts - but risk of turmoil with Trump

Svantesson: Trump's policy may increase inflation
2 MIN READ

Svantesson: Trump's policy may increase inflation

Major Banks Lower Mortgage Rates
1 MIN READ

Major Banks Lower Mortgage Rates

Central Bank Economist: Central Bank Cuts Interest Rate Too Late
2 MIN READ

Central Bank Economist: Central Bank Cuts Interest Rate Too Late

How You Are Affected by Lowered Interest Rates
2 MIN READ

How You Are Affected by Lowered Interest Rates

Thedéen expects turmoil after Trump's victory
2 MIN READ

Thedéen expects turmoil after Trump's victory

Inflation upswing does not threaten interest rate cuts
3 MIN READ

Inflation upswing does not threaten interest rate cuts

Stockholm Stock Exchange rises after interest rate cut
1 MIN READ

Stockholm Stock Exchange rises after interest rate cut

Most up on Asian stock exchanges
1 MIN READ

Most up on Asian stock exchanges

This is how your wallet can be affected by Trump's victory
2 MIN READ

This is how your wallet can be affected by Trump's victory

Cheerful on Wall Street after Trump win
1 MIN READ

Cheerful on Wall Street after Trump win

Thousand-kronor notes to be picked up when the Central Bank increases the pace
3 MIN READ

Thousand-kronor notes to be picked up when the Central Bank increases the pace

Swish up and running again after disruption
1 MIN READ

Swish up and running again after disruption

Trump's company is soaring on the stock exchange
1 MIN READ

Trump's company is soaring on the stock exchange

Swedish Export Threatened by Trump Victory
2 MIN READ

Swedish Export Threatened by Trump Victory

Sameby's appeal against mining company rejected
1 MIN READ

Sameby's appeal against mining company rejected

Inflation Expectations Fall
1 MIN READ

Inflation Expectations Fall