Response to interpellation 2022/23:57 on more people in work to counter segregation

Arbetsmarknads- och integrationsministern Johan Pehrson (L)

Madam Speaker! Sofia Amloh has asked me what measures we intend to take so that more foreign-born individuals will get into work.

Sweden's integration challenges need to be addressed with measures in many different areas. When integration works, a richer, more tolerant and successful society is created.

The opportunities for foreign-born individuals to enter and establish themselves in the labor market need to increase; this applies particularly to foreign-born women. For the labor market policy activities to function well, Arbetsförmedlingen and the measures that the agency has at its disposal need to be effective. Integration policy needs to contribute to a greater extent to ensuring that everyone who can is available to the labor market and strives to become self-sufficient and learn Swedish.

The work to refer more people to regular studies shall continue. The work to increase equality in the labor market needs to continue. The difference between women's and men's participation in various initiatives needs to decrease. This applies particularly to labor market training, work placements, and various forms of subsidized employment.

The Government assesses that there is room for streamlining of the labor market policy. Streamlining simultaneously provides room for a continued increase in efforts relative to current levels, in response to the challenges we face on the labor market.

It is about, among other things, matching services, which can contribute to shortened periods of unemployment and to preventing and countering long-term unemployment. It is also about labor market training, which can equip job seekers for the vacant jobs and thereby contribute to countering the existing skills shortage in the labor market.

More people should be able to participate in work placements. A placement can be a good way into the labor market, among other things by bridging the employer's uncertainty regarding a certain person's competencies. Placement provides work experience that can contribute to breaking passivity among job seekers and to improving their job chances. In the budget bill for 2023, the Government has proposed that 45 million shall be added to Arbetsförmedlingen during 2023 to enable more work placements, as a building block in the work for more people to get a job and become self-sufficient.

The consequences of segregation affect the entire society but particularly hit those people who live in areas with socio-economic challenges and whose lives and freedom are restricted. Increased employment is crucial to improve integration.

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Sofia Amloh (S)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer and for allowing us to debate these important issues in the chamber today. To begin the spring term with this feels extra nice.

I asked what measures the government intends to take so that those born abroad can get jobs. I did so against the background of and with the approach that we need to succeed in breaking the segregation that exists.

It is, as also appears from the Minister's answer, very much about the fact that the whole of society needs to be there - that there are measures and resources to give the social services the powers that are needed, resources for the school and for leisure activities, and investments in vulnerable, segregated residential areas. Teachers, field assistants, sports clubs, and others are needed who can provide the support that is needed to give children and young people the faith in the future and the courage they need to dream their dreams. As far as that goes, I believe we are in complete agreement.

But for us to succeed with this, first and foremost, more adults must enter the workforce. It is completely fundamental. In that case, it is important that society equips people with what is needed so that they can be active on the Swedish labor market - everything from language skills to pure industry-specific competencies.

I do not quite understand why the government, moreover in these turbulent times and the recession we find ourselves in, chooses to cut back on education and active labor market measures. Arbetsförmedlingen warns of increased unemployment. It will be worst in those industries where many get their first job, which in turn increases the risk of one getting stuck outside the labor market - that one does not get in or that it takes a very long time.

In this situation, the right-wing government is cutting back on the possibility of education and transition in its budget. Resources for adult education are decreasing by over 1 billion, when we agree that one of the most important keys to freedom is work. The sense of hope for the future created in children and young people when they see their parents go to work, I believe cannot even be valued. We cannot measure how important this is; it is invaluable. I therefore do not know why the government chooses to cut back on precisely that which we know needs to be done.

In this year's budget, the government and the Sweden Democrats are cutting back on active labor market policies and the measures that are required. Arbetsförmedlingen receives less money and thus has poorer opportunities to help people get into jobs - or if it is education that is needed.

As if this were not enough, cuts are also being made to positions within adult education. It concerns several billion. Why is this being done in these times, when we know that work leads to us also having the conditions to break the segregation?

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Serkan Köse (S)

Madam Speaker and Minister! I would like to thank Sofia Amloh for a very good question, and I would also like to thank the Minister for the answer.

This is a very important issue that now affects very many people. We see that the gaps in our society are increasing. The economic vulnerability and segregation, which the interpellation is actually about, have increased in recent decades; it is not something that has increased now. To break and combat segregation, with everything it entails, is one of the toughest and most important challenges we have in our society.

We know that inequality and increased disparities are deeply harmful for a society but also for the individuals. Therefore, we must do everything we can to ensure that the individual is given the best conditions to succeed, but also to break the segregation in our society.

I also know that there is no quick fix when it comes to this issue. A broader discussion and approach are needed when we tackle this great challenge for our society. We need to have a deeper, broader, more analytical conversation here in the Swedish Riksdag to tackle this issue.

When I read the government's response on how to get more women with a foreign background into work and on how we should break and counteract segregation, I do not quite feel that the government is giving any answer. It is very much about the government stating that one needs to conduct an effective labor market policy.

The reason I requested the floor was that I was reflecting on whether the Minister can elaborate on what he means by that there is room for streamlining of the labor market policy. As Sofia Amloh touched upon, someone looking at the budget can clearly see cuts in labor market policy programs and initiatives of 1.5 billion this year.

We know that we are in a recession, and everything indicates that unemployment will increase. At the same time, we have a matching problem on the Swedish labor market. There are just over 160,000 vacancies but also 190,000 long-term unemployed.

I must ask what the Minister means by streamlining of the labor market policy. Again: it concerns 6.9 billion in 2023 compared to 13 billion in 2018. Should we interpret the Minister's and the Government's talk of streamlining as an intention to cut back on active labor market policy moving forward? In what way will these cuts in active labor market policy measures lead to increased employment, to reduced segregation, and to more women with a foreign background entering the workforce?

What the Minister addresses—the core of the discussion regarding segregation—appears in the final paragraph of the writing, where it is argued that segregation has consequences for society and affects individuals. This must be put into relation with the next step. If that is the case, what measures does one intend to implement to break the segregation and to ensure that we achieve equal conditions for men and women in the Swedish labor market?

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Arbetsmarknads- och integrationsministern Johan Pehrson (L)

Madam Speaker! There are certainly great challenges. We have had the privilege of acting for nearly 100 days. I have devoted much of this time to meeting with the organizations and authorities that are responsible.

Not least, Arbetsförmedlingen now experiences a situation where they are emerging from the previous parliamentary term, which was quite difficult for Arbetsförmedlingen and its 11,100 skilled employees. They are persevering and will now act with the regulatory framework that is in place to better be able to equip and match people who are far away from the labor market and who today in different ways are part of Arbetsförmedlingen's responsibility because they are registered there. Arbetsförmedlingen's employees will now be able to do this with increased strength day by day.

Arbetsförmedlingen has been undergoing a rather difficult transition. Furthermore, a comprehensive digitalization journey was undertaken, which is not unknown to anyone in the Riksdag who has followed Arbetsförmedlingen over time.

By efficiencies, we mean that this government - just like the previous government - is constantly looking at measures that we do not think have been so effective and which do not ultimately lead to a regular job. That is why we focus on and strengthen the new-start jobs rather than the extra services. That is why we are now ensuring that - hopefully as part of the large transition package, which costs very many but very well-invested billions - we also achieve establishment jobs, which can be a step in.

We have internships, as I mentioned. We are also making investments in adult vocational education, not least to link language and education. Often both were needed, as many people stand far from the labor market depending on that they lack sufficient knowledge in Swedish to enter the labor market.

The mission for Arbetsförmedlingen is clear: the labor market training that exists shall increase; it is the agency's mission. But it is also about what one does and what one can do. Arbetsförmedlingen must, together with industries and other actors, not least unions, ensure that the training is actually sought. It is of no use to offer places that no one takes.

I agree with both members participating in the debate - they have a correct analysis. More must be done to ensure that people actually participate in the labor market trainings that exist. It is a fantastic privilege that we help people to, on one hand, secure their own future, increase their freedom and create opportunities, and on the other hand, become an important part of society building, enter an operation that they perhaps have not worked in before or contribute to reducing the more or less constant skills shortage that exists within the transport sector, the tourism industry and the restaurant industry as well as among other important actors.

Language is the most central issue. We are working on several fronts there. I am glad that the party to which the members in the debate belong has been clear that Sweden must increase the effort when it comes to people reading Swedish.

I hope that we can do this together. I will take in all the good ideas with new examples of how to do it. There is only one goal here: more people in work.

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Sofia Amloh (S)

Madam Speaker! I appreciate the Minister's reasoning and continued contributions to the debate.

The Minister took up all the measures that are required. We need to have an active, mobile and creative labor market where there are opportunities to make a transition, especially in these times. It is a recession and inflation. It will be tough - really tough. I believe that this is the beginning - or the continuation - of the waves that we have had previously with the pandemic.

Now we are entering a completely different situation. In that case, there need to be one, two, and three different options for equipping people. There needs to be a whole color palette. In that case, we cannot step in and ensure that there are fewer places, fewer opportunities, and narrower options. On the contrary – we need to open this up.

Part of this is to equip people with the Swedish language. There are different ways to learn and internalize it. We need to create all the conditions that can be created. Every person who can come out and learn the language or be involved and contribute should do so. This is our common task, not least politically.

I think the parties take a large part of the responsibility and do their job with the transition study support and so on. There are good opportunities here. But the politics needs to be at least as active - perhaps more active than ever.

I can also bring up another example. The Riksdag has set goals for integration in Sweden. In order for us to achieve that goal for integration policy that has been adopted, the importance of a good reception of newcomers as well as the importance of measures to support and facilitate so that it is quick to establish oneself and enter the labor market and Swedish society has been expressed.

A rather important example, which has made a difference, is the Settlement Act. It came into place in 2016, I believe. The National Audit Office has produced a report showing that it has improved. It is faster to establish oneself. This has had good effects.

I would very much like to know what the Minister intends regarding this reform. Is it something that the government wants to change? Does the government want to keep it?

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Serkan Köse (S)

Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer.

In his answer, the Minister also touched upon the next interpellation debate by bringing up extra positions and new start-up jobs. I will also say something about that.

When I hear the Minister's answer, I get a feeling that the government lacks a vision, will, and plan for how to tackle the challenges and problems that we are discussing today and that exist in the Swedish labor market and in Swedish society today.

The Minister speaks about measures that do not lead to jobs and points out that the extra services have been removed and the nystartsjobb have been doubled. There seems to be a confidence that the nystartsjobb will solve all today's problems with establishment in the labor market. The budget bag is at 8.1 billion in 2023, which can be compared with 4.6 billion in 2022. It is therefore a doubling.

At the same time, we must remember that the nystartsjobb (new start jobs) are based on rights-based legislation, so everyone who meets the requirements and criteria is entitled to them. They are also designed so that they most often go to those who are closest to the labor market and find it easiest to obtain a job.

Extra services, on the other hand, are designed in such a way that they have often gone to women with a foreign background, just as the interpellor points out. It has meant an opportunity to enter the Swedish labor market. Even though it is subsidized by 100 percent, it means that they are in a context and receive a salary on the 25th, which affects both their own and their family's conditions for economic independence and, hopefully, continued work.

Of course, the figures show that the startup jobs are doing better, but it is difficult to compare these two.

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Arbetsmarknads- och integrationsministern Johan Pehrson (L)

Madam Speaker! Much has happened due to major changes in the previous government's labor market policy. Some of that we are carrying forward because it is good. It has, however, been a turbulent time, but now things are starting to fall into place. Other changes are occurring because we are out of the pandemic.

The interpellator asks where we stand now and is concerned about how deep the ongoing recession will become. I can assure all members that we are following this closely. The Riksdag was also not shy about extra budgets during the previous mandate period, so that possibility also exists. We are constantly prepared to act, and if the situation becomes worse than the experts predict, we will act. I am also completely certain that the Riksdag will ensure that we act, either by driving opinion, which is done skillfully, or directly via the committees to then make decisions in the chamber. As mentioned, a number of supplementary budgets were presented during the previous mandate period, so the Riksdag also has that power.

It is a matter of being efficient. One must never engage in hiding people away and making it invisible that they do not have real jobs. We heard the figures for both long-term unemployment and other unemployment being read out here, and we know that over 500,000 people were registered at Arbetsförmedlingen when I took office. It is unfortunate for these individuals, but it is good because it represents a great resource for Sweden. With the right help and support, and by taking great personal responsibility, people can move towards becoming part of the regular labor market, which is the goal.

The Department, as is well known, does not govern the authorities, but in our contacts with the authorities, we have pointed out things that are important. Here, we have stated that Samhall should be able to function a bit better and help more people. We have also pointed out that subsidized employment can be important for people who, for various reasons, need this help in order to be able to support themselves.

We are now trying to adapt to the normal after a pandemic where everything was very abnormal. Everything we did then in fairly broad agreement here in the chamber was about freezing the situation and, through short-term programs and other measures, keeping people and companies afloat. But now we are out of the pandemic and need to look at what Sweden needs, and then the focus is on effective, workplace-oriented measures that lead to regular jobs and provide a high demand for recruitment among individuals. Therefore, we believe, and it gives me great pleasure to hear, in the nystartsjobben (new start jobs) and the upcoming etableringsjobben (establishment jobs).

We shall, of course, also honor the fantastic agreement on learning and transition in mid-life – even if it is not primarily this group we are talking about today.

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Sofia Amloh (S)

Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the debate. A continued dialogue will be important, because I am very concerned. I understand that you are not sitting with blindfolds on, looking in another direction while this is ongoing, so I take Johan Pehrson's assurance that you will act in earnest. During the pandemic, the Social Democratic-led government had to present a number of extra budgets, and now the government must present as many as are required to reduce the consequences of the recession, increased unemployment, and so on. And we will stand ready regardless of what is required.

Let me conclude this debate where I began. It is important that the whole society strives towards a common goal and that in all political areas, work is done to break segregation and achieve the integration that is required. It takes time and is not always easy, and many of us need to help with this. In the Tidö Agreement, however, the large and important description of how this shall be achieved is missing, and I worry that Johan Pehrson's government basis is not that which is most prepared to help when it comes to integration. We are, however, ready to extend a hand and pitch in every day of the week.

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Arbetsmarknads- och integrationsministern Johan Pehrson (L)

Madam Speaker! I hear what the interpellor says, and we are doing a joint effort.

We need, first and foremost, to create conditions for jobs. In Sweden, we have historically had much tougher situations than now, when we have a demand for labor but all too high unemployment and long-term unemployment.

It could have been much worse. It could have been the case that there was no demand for work. I constantly meet organizations that wonder: Why can no one come to me, to us, to our industry and work in the important tourism industry or the important service industry or in healthcare and elderly care, with the ski lifts, with crafts and with building the future's green Sweden? There is a huge gap here. But it would be worse if there were no people at all, so this is manageable. But it is clear that it will take time.

It is clear that one may have stood outside the labor market and not been met with any measures that have helped you, or perhaps you yourself have not put in enough effort - for it can sometimes also be the case that there may not have been sufficient requirements for you to apply - yes, there are hundreds of thousands of different answers for all different individuals, but it is clear that we must now ensure that we try to deliver against the competence needs that exist.

As was raised in yesterday's party debate, it is also most important that the school functions so that we ensure that there are not more people who do not have the competence and cannot take any job at all. For every year, there should be fewer young people who find themselves in the situation that, at the beginning of their lives, they do not have basic knowledge for their first job. The first job is often the most important in the sense that it leads to the subsequent jobs.

The interpellations debate was hereby concluded.

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