The report is seen as a first step in how LO will formulate concrete negotiation proposals on the issue of reduced working hours, according to Lindholm. But how to proceed in the negotiations is not yet clear.
We know that employer organizations, both in the private and public sectors, are fierce opponents of reduced working hours, he says and continues:
Of course, it costs, but there are many benefits.
According to LO, Sweden has the most worked hours per capita, followed by the Netherlands. In other comparable countries, working hours have decreased per employed person over time, while in Sweden they have increased since the beginning of the 1980s. Moreover, Sweden has one of the longest expected working lives in Europe, according to LO's report.
Thursday's report is part of LO's working hours investigation ahead of the 2025 collective bargaining round. The entire investigation is expected to be completed in May and will then be taken further in concrete proposals. LO represents 13 trade unions with a total of 1.4 million members.
