Samhall, which provides people with disabilities with protected employment, has grown too much. It has gone at the expense of quality, according to the investigator Malin Danielsson, who is a liberal member of parliament. The investigation has been submitted to Labour Market Minister Mats Persson (L).
The investigation proposes that Samhall should be downsized, with five percent fewer employees. Today, approximately 24,000 people work for the state-owned company. This would mean over a thousand fewer employees. Malin Danielsson points out that it's not about anyone being laid off, but rather that fewer people will be hired next year.
It's about receiving fewer for an increased quality, she says.
An increased need
Unemployment has increased significantly in the group with disabilities, from just under eight percent in 2019 to around 16 percent in 2023. Malin Danielsson also notes that the target group eligible for Samhall has become larger and that they have often been unemployed for a long time.
According to Mats Persson, it is necessary to review Samhall's organization, which has received criticism over the years for not functioning perfectly:
It's about creating a long-term solution so that those who work there can feel secure, he says.
Other measures
To compensate for fewer jobs at Samhall, the investigator proposes other complementary measures, including a new form of protected employment at ideologically driven organizations.
So, in total, more people with disabilities should be able to get a job, is Malin Danielsson's hope.
Mats Persson points out that today's system is not working well enough for people with disabilities. For example, the funds that the Employment Service receives for wage subsidies are not being utilized. Employers have expressed that the wage subsidy is too low, it has not been increased since 2020, and since then, inflation has been high.
Is it relevant to increase the wage subsidy?
We do not rule it out, says Mats Persson.
The number of employees at Samhall will be reduced by five percent. Existing employees will not be affected, but fewer will be hired in the future.
The state's compensation to Samhall is increased annually to cover primarily wage increases.
A strengthened introduction period is introduced for new employees.
The measures are complemented by increased access to protected employment at public employers, plus a new form of protected employment at ideologically driven organizations.
Support from the Employment Service is improved.
Source: The Government
