• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Ikea says no to hiring cronies of Italian politico

Published: 28 Mar 12 06:55 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/39932/20120328/

Swedish furniture chain Ikea said Tuesday it had told a local Italian politician it would not be following up on his bid to get four cronies to work at a new branch opening up in the Abruzzo region.

"We replied that Ikea chooses people based on merit. There were four names on the list in his letter," Ikea Italy spokesman Valerio di Bussolo told AFP.

The politician's letter -- written on headed paper -- did not directly ask for the four to be hired but inquired as to the status of their applications.

"We get these requests quite regularly, particularly when a new store is opening. We're talking about a politician in this case but we have also received recommendations from priests and bank managers," di Bussolo said.

The Ikea branch opening near the town of Chieti has 220 vacancies and has already received 30,000 online applications, or around 136 applicants per job.

Italy's economy entered recession in the second half of last year and the unemployment rate has reached a record high of 9.2 percent. Jobs with foreign companies and long-term contracts are particularly highly sought after.

Italians often resort to high-placed family members or acquaintances -- sometimes referred to as "angels in paradise" -- to help them get a job.

"Well done Ikea!" said Giampiero Riccardo, a coordinator for the centre-left Italy of Values party, who initially alerted Italian media to the case.

"Job recommendations slow social mobility and increase inefficiency."

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

09:11 March 28, 2012 by karex
Well done indeed.
10:21 March 28, 2012 by EP
Ah yes, let's pat ourselves on the back as Swedes again in our fight against corruption. After all, we're the moral saviours of the world ...
10:49 March 28, 2012 by gpafledthis
Not going Local ?? Does not "when in rome...." translate into swedish ??? As to moral saviourship-yes you show the pitfalls and perils of such (like socialism) SO keep it up !!
13:58 March 28, 2012 by Mb 65
Glad to see someone is stand up against these scum.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
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 () »

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 () »

Riksbank unveils new board members

Riksbank unveils new board members

Sweden's central bank has appointed two new board members plucked from banking and academia to replace two outgoing members, one of whom was an outspoken critic of the Riksbank's commitment to the government's inflation goal. READ () »

350 jobs lost as Ericsson shuts Swedish factory

350 jobs lost as Ericsson shuts Swedish factory

Swedish telecom giant Ericsson has buckled under the pressure of European competition and will turn off the switch on a cable production plant in Sweden, leaving 350 employees without jobs. READ () »

Sweden has 'lower tax burden' than Senegal

Sweden has 'lower tax burden' than Senegal

While Sweden has a reputation for having one of the most painful tax bills in the world, a new report ranks Sweden 20th when comparing the tax burden on salaries when social security payments and salary brackets are taken into account. READ () »

Ericsson probed over suspected bribes

Ericsson probed over suspected bribes

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson is suspected of having bribed ministers in Romania in connection with being awarded a contract for the country's emergency number and is now under investigation in the United States. READ () »

Warning over 'long-term' Swedish export slump

Warning over 'long-term' Swedish export slump

Sweden's largest business confederation has gone out guns blazing, criticizing politicians for not facing up to the challenges of "a lost year for Swedish exports" in 2012. READ () »

'Lean hospital a sign of Swedish welfare reform'

'Lean hospital a sign of Swedish welfare reform'

A Stockholm hospital saved from closure by private health care providers has been hailed by the Economist as one of modern's Sweden public-private success stories. READ () »

H&M mulls production in South America and Africa

H&M mulls production in South America and Africa

Swedish clothing giant H&M is looking into the possibility of sourcing its production to South America, Central America, and even Africa, chief executive Karl-Johan Persson said on Monday. READ () »

Nord Stream plans new gas pipelines

Nord Stream plans new gas pipelines

Gas pipeline firm Nord Stream will hold an information meeting on the Baltic island of Gotland on Monday to introduce a proposal to extend its controversial gas pipeline project. READ () »

More Business & Money

Find a new job in Sweden now
23/05 Account Executive/Office Manager
Toolbox Marketing
Stockholm, STHM
23/05 Application Owner AX
Net Entertainment
Stockholm
23/05 Area sales Manager
Gemalto
Stockholm, STHM
23/05 E.ON are looking for a Regional Category Manager Elnät
Experis Sverige
SKÅ
23/05 Integration Engineer at Aditro
Aditro
Stockholm, STHM
23/05 Java Developer (Turku, Finland)
Academic Work
Turku
23/05 Manager Service Management Center
Telenor Sverige AB
Stockholm, STHM
23/05 Platform Engineer
TeliaSonera
Farsta
23/05 Product Manager
Safemind AB
Stockholm
23/05 Produktionsplanerare, Coca-Cola Enterprises Sverige
Coca-Cola Enterprises Sverige AB
Stockholm, STHM

ALL JOBS »


 
Latest Business & Money news from Germany
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
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