Equality opportunity and discrimination

(Jämställdhet och diskriminering)

Gender discrimination is still a major problem in the labour market. More men than women are in senior management and other top positions. Men often receive higher wages than women for doing the same kind of work.

According to the government’s equal opportunity policy, women and men should have the same power over their own lives and social development in general. The Discrimination Act governs attempts to ensure that education and job opportunities are equally available to both sexes.

Discrimination refers to unequal treatment based on sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age. Both the labour market and other segments of society discriminate to one extent or another.

 The Discrimination Act

(Diskrimineringslagen)

The Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination in hiring, employment, at the workplace or on the basis of parental leave. Everyone has the same right to apply for a job opening, which must be advertised in the newspapers, with the Swedish Public Employment Service or somewhere else that is accessible by the general public.

If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you may notify the Equality Ombudsman (DO).

Learn more about equal opportunity and discrimination at:
www.do.se
www.regeringen.se