• Sweden edition
Politics

Folkpartiet stands firm on sick pay

Published: 22 Aug 05 11:03 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/1928/20050822/

Folkpartiet leader, Lars Leijonborg, stands by his demand that sick pay rates stay at their current level under a conservative government. He's prepared to change that policy if large savings aren't made via other means within two years.

But Leijonborg's colleagues from the other conservative parties immediately rejected the proposal. On Sunday, Leijonborg suggested a compromise. Sick pay won't be reduced after the 2006 election, but healthcare would be speeded up and more money put into rehabilitation. There would also be improved anti-fraud measures and stricter rules governing sick leave.

If significant savings haven't been made by 2008, Leijonborg would be prepared to discuss reducing sick pay from the current rate of 80%.

"If it comes to that even we realise there must be a debate," he said.

But Leijonborg is convinced savings can be made. In his letter, he proposes that the conservative alliance commits itself to the Social Insurance Agency's target of reducing the number of days of absence per person from 42.5 to 37. That would give savings of 16bn kronor - significantly more than the sum the Moderates want to save to finance tax cuts.

He also wants a special "anti-fraud minister" to be appointed to fight benefit cheats.

But the Moderates' party secretary, Sven Otto Littorin, has rejected Leijonborg's compromise.

"The Moderates want a conservative government to bring in tax cuts straight away, therefore quick savings are also needed."

Littorin has support from Centre party leader, Maud Olofsson:

"Tax cuts must be brought in as soon as we come into power," she said.

Sick pay policy is on the agenda at the conservative alliance's meeting on 30-31 August.

TT/The Local

Today's headlines
Swedish scientists chart entire fir tree genome

Swedish scientists chart entire fir tree genome

Scientists at three Swedish universities have managed to muddle through the genetic code for fir trees, seven times larger than the human genome, with potential benefits for the Swedish forestry industry. READ () »

Swedish zoo celebrates rare elephant birth

Swedish zoo celebrates rare elephant birth

The Borås Zoo in western Sweden has welcomed a rare new elephant calf as African elephant Dudu gave birth on Wednesday after two years of pregnancy. READ () »

Sweden 'fails to help well-educated foreigners'

Sweden 'fails to help well-educated foreigners'

The white-collar union Saco has lambasted Sweden's Employment Agency for its failure to help well-educated, foreign-born job seekers, whose unemployment rate is more than three times the average for people born in Sweden. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots spread south on fourth night

Stockholm riots spread south on fourth night

Wednesday night saw more burning cars, smashed windows, and stone throwing at police in at least 15 suburbs around Stockholm, as the fourth night of riots swept the Swedish capital. READ () »

Karolinska joins free online-course community

Karolinska joins free online-course community

Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet has signed up to offer free online courses, joining a network of 27 universities worldwide that reach nearly a million students. READ () »

Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Fifteen percent of refugees in Sweden who enrolled in the new establishment system the past two years have gone on to find jobs, new figures show, leading some observers to worry that the low success rate will place a burden on the benefits system. READ () »

Assange extradition fight
Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser

Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser

One of the women who has accused Julian Assange of sex crimes has called on the Swedish government to increase pressure on Ecuador to hand over the WikiLeaks-founder to authorities in Sweden. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the north-western district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »

More Politics

 

Find a new job in Sweden now
23/05 Java Developer (Turku, Finland)
Academic Work
Turku
23/05 Product Manager
Safemind AB
Stockholm
22/05 Accountant to Bank of China
Sjr Ab
Stockholm
22/05 Accountant to Bank of China
SJR AB
Stockholm, STHM
22/05 Accounting Manager
Michael Page
Göteborg
22/05 Accounting Manager
Michael Page
Göteborg, VTG

ALL JOBS »


 

 

Highlights
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
www.finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching May 20-23
Erik Bloom
LIFESTYLE »
Stockholm's ten best-kept secrets - revealed
Fredrik Sanberg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake'
Peter Håkansson/Swedish Fashion Council
SOCIETY »
Fashion prize turns Rookies into players
La Neta
LIFESTYLE »
My Swedish Career: We talk to the founder of Stockholm's favourite Mexican restaurant chain - La Neta
Leif R Jansson/Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Riot police 'resorted to racial slurs' in Husby
Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Scanpix
SPORT »
Swedes sweep top French football awards
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: Check out this funky three-room apartment on the Stockholm island of Södermalm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Sweden win Ice Hockey World Championships. See the celebrations in Stockholm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Nightlife, Ice Hockey Gold celebrations, the royal family... You name it, this week's gallery has it
WikiCommons
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Scanpix
TRAVEL »
Quiz - Think You Know Sweden? This week we head to one of Sweden's ten biggest towns. But which one?
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me'
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?
Dixie Thomas Hughes
SPONSORED ARTICLE
US expat David V. Hughes on determination and discovery by design

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: The Diplomatic Dispatch

23 May 09:23

REFLECTIONS OF A TWITTER VIRGIN…. »

"I confess to having been reluctant to embrace Twitter. But I confess myself a bit of a convert. The great TV critic Clive James once said about “Dallas”, “I came to mock but I stayed to pray”. I wouldn’t go that far, but I have found my first two weeks on Twitter (@hmapauljohnston) both fun and informative. It’s been..." READ »

Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS