Employment, support and maintenance

(Arbete och försörjning)

This section is about the labour market, as well as the laws and agreements that govern it. Here is where you can find out about how to look for a job and what to do when you are unemployed, sick, at home with a sick child or planning for retirement.

The most important information to keep in mind

(Innehåll i korthet)

• To find out what the labour market is like and what occupations have a shortage of workers, contact the Swedish Public Employment Service or a vocational counsellor.
• If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you may notify the Equality Ombudsman (DO).
• A trade union is an organisation for people who are working. One of their goals is to ensure that their members have favourable working conditions.
• All employees pay approximately 30 per cent of their wages in tax, which is withheld by the employer.
• Entry jobs and new start jobs offer opportunities to people who have recently received a residence permit.
• If you lose your job, register with the Employment Service right away.
• Unemployment insurance funds are responsible for paying benefits to people who are out of work. The size of your benefits depends on whether or not you were a member of the fund and what conditions you meet.
• If you are unemployed and are not entitled to unemployment benefits, you can apply for a municipal maintenance allowance.
• If you are a newly arrived refugee, you may qualify for an establishment allowance from the Employment Service or an introductory allowance from your municipality.
• You are required to tell your employer if you get sick and must stay home from work. You must submit a doctor’s certificate anytime you are sick for longer than seven days.
• The most common retirement age is 65, but you have the right to work until you are 67.
• Each year you receive an orange envelope from the Swedish Pensions Agency containing an estimate of how much national pension you will receive at retirement.