If the American tariff threats have serious effects on Swedish export industry, Sweden must be prepared, according to the Social Democrats. There is already a system for short-term work where the state, employees, and companies share the risks in the event of serious economic crises. It was used during the pandemic, but there were deficiencies.
Now, S and IF Metall want to reform the system and point out that several other countries have better systems in place to handle economic crises.
We must improve our system, says Fredrik Olovsson, business policy spokesperson for S, at a press conference.
There is already an investigation that lies ready on the government's table.
It's high time for the government to move forward with the proposals, says Olovsson.
Short-term work essentially means that companies retain their employees, even if demand for the companies' products drops. This is done by employees reducing their working hours, and the state covering part of the salary that companies pay.
