• Sweden edition

Immigrants listed as a 'risk factor' nationwide

Published: 23 Dec 09 10:35 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/24018/20091223/

It is not just HSB housing association in Skåne in southern Sweden that has classified immigrants as a risk factor in assessments of working environments. The criteria have been used by real estate companies across the entire country for at least a decade, reports Swedish daily Metro.

“The heading is not just stupid but also misleading and wrong. Immigrants are not a risk factor in the working environment. The point has to do with information,” Jonas Stålnacke, head attorney at Fastigo, the employers' organisation for Swedish real estate industry.

The text has been taken from forms used by the unions and employers organisations. Under the heading “immigrants”, health and safety managers are to answer questions about whether employees understand safety instructions or if interpretation services are necessary. The text was revised during the autumn.

“The misleading heading has been removed and replaced with 'Instructions and information',” Stålnacke told Metro.

On Tuesday, Sydsvenskan newspaper reported that “immigrants” were listed along with “asbestos” and “noise” on a list of 39 risk factors on a form to be filled out by cooperative housing associations belonging to HSB Skåne in southern Sweden.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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13:27 December 23, 2009 by Beynch
It is absolutey amazing how political correctnes is running amok in Sweden these days! This s Orwell brought to new heights! Do I understand it correctly that the risk factor "immigrants" has been replaced with " "Instructions and Information"???? The twists and turns, and the hoops through which one has to jump to be politically correct is mindboggling. "The heading is not just stupid but also misleading and wrong", says Stålnacke. It seems to me that Stålnacke needs to be brought down to earth. Wonder what letter follows after his name?
21:34 December 23, 2009 by Per Johansson52
You can find many RACISTS in Skåne than other part of Sweden. This is very shame for us.
21:49 December 23, 2009 by lingonberrie
"Asbestos" and "Noise" are good starting points; now go on and list the many more risk factors that fit equally as well.

There must easily be at least 139 more.
23:01 December 23, 2009 by DreEstwd
00:55 December 24, 2009 by Taxalien
Well political correctness is a necessity here because without it the truth might just accidentally slip out!
20:16 December 24, 2009 by xykat
stoffer, There are many people, even Swedes who abuse the system and I can't tell you how many times I have worked at different jobs and seen people take medical leave for something as stupid as getting divorced or not being really seriously sick then come back and get offered permanent jobs, and me the hard working American immigrant gets passed over. Maybe this was an uncommon and isolated incident but it weakens your argument about immigrants abusing the system. There are many immigrants who want to work but constantly feel like they are hitting brick walls in the process. I am one of those! I'm an American who wants to work but I just can't get a job in this bad economy. I apply for jobs every month, go to interviews, I have 6 years experience in my field but my CV is just ignored or the jobs goes to someone who can barely even write in English. Yes, I believe there is still descrimination in this country and its not just against the "typical" foreigner types. I have dark hair, and fair skin but I think I would be more successful in Sweden if I had blonde hair and blue eyes. I do see my fellow American female friends who happen to be blonde and they are per capita more successful then their brunette counterparts. Maybe I should seriously dye my hair blonde or at least lighter... hmmmmm But I feel that would be going to extremes in order to just "fit in".
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