The proportion of newcomers to Sweden and their family members who work or study after two years in the so-called establishment programme increased sharply in 2018. The increase is mainly due to the ability for municipalities and regions to employ newcomers and people who are long-term unemployed under a government-sponsored scheme for ‘extra posts’ (extratjänster).

45 per cent of the approximately 38,000 newcomers who left the establishment programme in 2018 studied or worked 90 days after completing the programme (compared to 36 per cent in 2017). About one-third of them, or 4,700 people, were employed in an extra post.

However, the extra posts programme has now ended, and the Public Employment Service is simultaneously making large cuts at the local level. According to Per-Arne Andersson of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL), the association and its members are concerned about these developments.

A survey of all municipalities shows that many have built a well-functioning collaboration with the Public Employment Service around the extra posts. Virtually all municipalities responded that there would be consequences for newcomers and other job seekers if the extra posts disappear. The programme has made an important contribution to labour market integration, as well as allowing people to combine professional experience with studies. Andersson calls for the government and partner organisations to begin, as soon as possible, continued work on extra posts or corresponding initiatives.

An ‘extra post’ is a public sector jobs programme providing wage subsidies to employers that hire newcomers or individuals who are long-term unemployed. These jobs can be, for example, with employers in health care, schools, elderly care, childcare, disability care or with municipal and state authorities who do not conduct any business activities.

People employed in an extra post have the right to the salary and benefits that are in the employer’s collective agreement or that correspond to the industry’s salary levels. However, there is no entitlement to compensation from the unemployment insurance fund.

Read more