News
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LO on the Swedish general election
| Forming public opinionSwedish voters have clearly expressed that they want a new political direction, a new government and a new social democratic prime minister. It is a very positive message, says LO President Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson in a comment on the results of the Swedish general election held on 14 September .
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More jobs key election issue for LO members
| Forming public opinionAccording to an opinion poll carried out recently, the most important issue in the elections is employment/unemployment. LO members are to a large extent convinced that a new political direction for Sweden is necessary.
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LO policy for a better Europe
| International issuesLO has outlined a programme on EU activities for the coming five years, in order to influence EU policies and obtain a better Europe for workers. “While 26 million people are unemployed in Europe, the EU pursues a narrow austerity policy. This has had devastating consequences for workers all over Europe, especially women. In contrast, LO will instead act for full employment and investments that will generate sustainable growth", says Åsa Janlöv, research officer and European coordinator at the LO international department.
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Infomercial - americanised campaigning or making people committed?
| Forming public opinionLO crashed the gates and introduced the infomercial concept during the election campaign of 2014. Dreaded and dismissed by the conservatives but equally rewarded and critically acclaimed by others. Is the infomercial here to stay?
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Wealth concentration and the future of capitalism
| EconomyThomas Piketty’s book ”Capital in the 21st Century” is trying to answer basic questions regarding our economic system, particularly concerning the accumulation and distribution of wealth. Piketty’s thesis is that without political intervention, wealth and income differences will increase inexorably.
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Festivity – built on Slavery and Death? International Sports Events and Human Rights
| International issuesWelcome to the FIFA World Cup and festivities in Qatar 2022. Before you settle expectantly into your chairs and let yourselves be swept away in the championship excitement and joy, we want to draw your attention to the pain and grief that made the games possible.
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LO President elected as ITUC Deputy President
| International issuesInternational Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, concluded its 3rd World Congress on 23 May in Berlin. Sharan Burrow was re-elected as General Secretary and LO President Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson was elected as one of two Deputy Presidents.
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Full employment and decent work the biggest challenge
| Labour marketWell-functioning labour market lays the foundation for development, growth and improved welfare in Sweden and internationally,. This was one of the conclusions of the meeting of the LO General Council on 14 May. Guy Ryder, the Director-General of the ILO was a guest speaker at the meeting.
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LO documentary exposes the impacts of the Swedish government’s politics
In the run-up to the general elections, LO has produced a documentary: "Reinfeldt’s Sweden". This project is unique in political campaigning in Sweden
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Swedish trade unions’ policy on negotiations on a free trade agreement between EU and USA
The boards of LO, TCO and Saco have adopted a policy paper that aims to provide a brief background to the ongoing negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the United States. It describes the starting points and the minimum demands of the Swedish trade union movement in order for us to maintain a positive view on the transatlantic agreement.
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Release the imprisoned Iranian trade union activists
The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, is on a visit to Iran today. Mr Bildt hopes to be able to start a dialogue on human rights when meeting the Iranian leadership. This is not a day too soon. LO urges the Foreign Minister to devote particular focus to human rights in these discussions.
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LO and The Swedish Olympic Committee agree on respect for labour rights in connection with international sports events
| Employment conditionsSustainability and fair conditions are to distinguish the Olympic Games. It is important to show that major international events can in all aspects be built on the respect for human rights for all.
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LO and the Social Democrats demand the introduction of a social protocol in the EU Treaty
| Labour marketTo secure jobs and to create better balance between economic freedoms and fundamental rights for wage-earners in the EU internal market, LO and the Social Democrats demand the introduction of a social protocol to the EU treaty.
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The Swedish government violates international work environment rules
Annual cuts in allocations to the Swedish Work Environment Authority have in recent years resulted in many deficiencies as regards the authority’s activities. These deficiencies contribute to the fact that Sweden no longer fulfills the requirements of the ILO conventions, ratified by Sweden.
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Important decision strengthens workers' rights in Europe
| Collective agreementThe Swedish government receives severe criticism by the European Committee of Social Rights for the so-called 'Lex Laval', i.e. amendments to the Swedish legislation following the judgment in the Laval case. The restrictions of the right to organise and collective bargaining entailed by the Lex Laval are rejected by the Committee
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Influence and dominance among LO women and men
| Labour marketLO has, with a certain degree of regularity, mapped women’s and men’s access to decision-making and other influential bodies within LO and the affiliated unions. The latest mapping was made in 2002 and it showed a considerable shortage of women in all the decision-making bodies of the union movement.
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LO surveys work environment of temporary personnel
Occupational health and safety for those in temporary employment is often neglected. LO will therefore carry out a survey concerning the work environment of temporary / contracted staff. What is needed is increased awareness of the fact that the Work Environment Act and regulations apply to all workers
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A growing number of young people do not qualify for upper secondary school
In a new report dealing with the situation of young people in Sweden today, LO studies the connection between school, children’s conditions under childhood and unemployment. To an increasing extent, having completed upper secondary school is a precondition of getting a foothold on the labour market.
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Deteriorating work environment for LO women
| Work environmentLO’s report Work Environment 2012, which was presented in late June, shows that differences in work environment are increasing in terms of class and gender. Work environment is more and more deteriorating for blue-collar workers. Those who suffer from the most deteriorated work environment are female workers.
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Fewer young people with unemployment benefit
| Employment conditionsAccording to a LO report, the number of young jobless persons in Sweden receiving remuneration from the unemployment fund has decreased by 76 percent since 2006 in spite of the escalation of unemployment.
