Discrimination law fells only two in 20 years
Published: 12 Feb 13 17:00 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/46158/20130212/
Only two people have managed to bring an employer to justice for ethnic discrimination at work, despite the introduction of a Swedish law in 1994 aimed at helping those who fell victim to prejudice.
- Pole loses discrimination fight against Swedish zoo (21 Jan 13)
- Payday for woman denied job for being 'too young' (17 Jan 13)
- Guide dog not a hot ticket to disability bash (7 Dec 12)
Only two employers have been convicted by the Swedish Labour Court (Arbetsdomstolen, AD) since the law was introduced in 1994, reports the Dagens Arbete (DA) newspaper.
Between 2006 and 2011, there were 72 cases reported from within the industrial sector alone, however none of these made it to the Labour Court. Only eight of the cases resulted in a negotiated settlement.
Some of the employees affected, meanwhile, have been left seething at the ethnic discrimination that they feel is even harder to swallow than direct racism.
"If you hear someone in a bar yelling 'blackie' then it's in some way easier to take," Arman Bolourian, who was refused a job at ABB Machine, told the paper.
He was given the boot by his employer at the very end of a four-month recruitment process, despite having the right education and experience for the job. The boss had explained that he didn't fit in with the group.
Annika Höög, a case officer at Sweden's Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO), said she regretted that the system doesn't appear to help the people lodging complaints.
"It's sad if it seems that you can't win," she told the paper.
"It's not that we think it's hopeless to take on ethnic discrimination cases, rather that we choose to investigate those that we think can set a precedent, or those that illustrate bigger societal problem."
TT/The Local/og
Follow The Local on Twitter
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Emmelie De Forest of Denmark takes over from Sweden's Loreen as the Eurovision Song Contest champion, capping a spectacle that kept Malmö and the rest of Europe cheering on Saturday night. READ () »
Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final
The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest Final is live in Malmö, southern Sweden. The Local brings you all the latest news, reactions, and details surrounding Europe's biggest pop music spectacle. READ () »
Sweden beats Finland in hunt for hockey gold
Sweden will be playing for gold in the ice hockey World Championships after dispatching longstanding rivals and co-hosts Finland with a 3-0 win on Saturday. READ () »
Three shot in jewellery heist on busy street
Three people were wounded during an armed robbery on a jewellery store in Ängelholm, southern Sweden on Saturday, with the robbers escaping on a yellow moped. READ () »
County council admits to buying out 'bomb man'
The Sörmland County Council in central Sweden 'accidentally' hired a convicted criminal who had served a long prison sentence for threatening to blow up oil storage tanks and had to pay 1million kronor in severance pay to get rid of him. READ () »
Man wounded in schoolyard shooting
Panic broke out at a Gothenburg school on Friday evening as one man was wounded in a shooting which could be linked to a violent robbery that took place in the area on the same day. READ () »
Teen girl admits to Instagram 'slut-shaming'
A 15-year-old girl has admitted to setting up the Instagram account that caused hundreds of teenagers to riot in Gothenburg last year, but her 16-year-old friend has denied involvement. READ () »
Scandal ousts Stockholm economics school head
The president of the Stockholm School of Economics, one of Sweden's most prestigious universities, has been forced out in response to a scandal over his hiring of a high-ranking official who'd been convicted of insider trading. READ () »
- 19/05 Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö »
- 18/05 Live Blog: Eurovision Song Contest final »
- 18/05 Three shot in jewellery heist on busy street »
- 18/05 County council admits to buying out 'bomb man' »
- 18/05 Teen girl admits to Instagram 'slut-shaming' »
- 17/05 'Sweden next in line for housing market crash' »
- 17/05 French oyster lovers to munch on Swedish spats »
- 17/05 Lesbian kiss fails to shock Eurovision fans »
- 16/05 Assange's sex crimes accuser speaks out »
- 16/05 Swedish bride murder suspect's health worsens »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
"Div5 v IF Olympia Farsta: 2-2 Having come back from 1-0 down then 2-1 down, 10-men Stripes earned a worthy point from todays fixture. Lascelles took charge in goal after the keeper was red-carded and made some vital saves and interceptions. Robbie G scored from a low over head kick and then a penalty goal by..." READ »
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- 26/4 02:20 Stockholm Taxi Wars: Über fail (Boston Blatte)
- 19/4 15:47 UK and Sweden sign Defence MOU (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 16/05 Rob for Russian Speaking
- 16/05 pet carrier
- 16/05 Big Sister/ Nanny
- 16/05 I need an apartment any where in or near to Stockholm
- 15/05 English speaking babysitter
- 15/05 Lookinf for track driver job!
- 19:55 Where to buy rubbing alcohol?
- 16:49 Posting parcel from Sweden
- 15:34 Drinking laws in Sweden confused!
- 15:31 In need of a home in Uppsala from August...
- 14:57 Questions Regarding Swedish Literature
- 13:18 What does Lagom really mean?
- 12:26 Does any business owner needs a partnership
- 09:38 Online Shopping (Womens Clothing)
- 20:46 Questions concerning MV
- 19:25 My scary encounter with Swedbank.
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
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
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
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
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
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.
What a bunch of bullsh*t. The law was put in place to protect the little man, not to create opportunities for sweeping legislation.
Yes, my office has a gender discrimination board that meets regularly but no mention is ever made of discrimination against non-ethnic Swedes. Because apparently that doesn't happen or something...
That's fine you are entitled to run your country as you wish, however DO was created because the 2000 Directive on Discrimination required it and as long as you are member of the EU you will abide by your obligations (which also includes the prohibition of Nepotism). You racist Swedes have taken advantage of Generous payments from the EU and exported thousands of your unemployed to countries like the UK, and I for one don't see why my hard earned UK taxes should subsidise your National Socialist employment practices. If you wish to continue with your racist ways then I suggest you do so outside the EU and take back your citizens from countries like the UK, let's see how long the Chinese masters of Volvo stay in Sweden when they have lost their free access to EU, Volvo's can be produced much cheaper in Bulgaria?
@oddsock
Therein lies my argument, namely there is no political motivation it's a vote looser and Centre right parties are desperately trying to claw back the 50+ vote. Don't get me wrong I don't blame the current government they are simply continuing the Racist National Socialist employment practices of the Social Democrats and the Vanster parties. We have heard the frustration caused by the racist disregard of its duties by the DO in other strings, so my suggestion is if you are going to complain of race discrimination then try and bring a Sex Discrimination element, otherwise you're not going to get anywhere, unless your case has been video recorded by the pope, even the DO will accuse him of lying?
Look how poles are treated in UK. I dont think your in any possition to dictate when sweden should do or not.
I'm sorry I'm trying to make sense of your convoluted babble, may I suggest you read a newspaper or two rather than relying on the back page of the mirror for your political views. Whilst I am no tory supporter (far from it) even I have to concede that the tory party is anything but homophobic, (whilst it's never been proven conclusively) it certainly didn't stop Edward Heath from being elected. Coming from minority background and having grown up in a 70's inner city UK ghetto, I think there is very little you can teach me about ethnic discrimination in the UK. While I have to concede direct discrimination is nowhere near the level of the UK, how much of that has to do with Swedish egalitarianism or the fact that Swedes don't speak to foreigners (or to each other for that matter) is a moot point? I any event direct discrimination is not the subject of the article, it's the disgraceful performance of DO.
Might I suggest you stay out of the sun because a tan could result in insults (that you personally truly deserved) being directed at you from your like-minded peers. They like you cannot see beyond the skin colour and just see a foreigner
Why should swedes speak to strangers?
The problem for DO is that so many cases they get its word against word or even just percived discrimination.
http://www.thelocal.se/46022/20130205/
This is why the employers could get away with discrimination of anybody with foreign names, because in Sweden DO is nothing but a farce! Certain people usually jump quickly into the defense in the comment sections, but since they haven't showed up yet, they must have noticed this is something nobody could justify!