Young female professionals in Sweden find it harder to secure permanent contracts than their male counterparts with almost 25 percent working under temporary contracts, according to a report from the white collar union TCO.

Almost 25 percent of female professionals aged between 20- and 34-years-old have temporary employment contracts, while only 10 percent of men do so, according to the TCO report which is yet to be published in full.

"This is a serious warning about the conditions in working life," said Eva Nordmark, TCO chairperson.

Nordmark argued that the lack of a permanent contract means that female workers have a weaker standing on the labour market and argued that the problem is getting worse.

"The experience of being in control has declined at the same time as it is experienced that demands at work are increasing, and the change especially affects women," she said.

The report, entitled "Tjänstemännens arbetsliv" (literally: professionals' working life) has however been questioned by employer group Almega.

"I am surprised and sceptical and want to read the report first," Jonas Milton, Almega chairperson told the Expressen daily.

The TCO report also notes that the proportion of men working under higher stress levels has increased and that half of all male professionals under the age of 35 work more overtime.

The equivalent figure for female professionals is 40 percent.

TCO expressed concern that the development is towards more temporary employment and Eva Nordmark argued that new laws run contrary to EU directives.

"To increase increasing the number of temporary employment contracts is short-term policy," the TCO head said.

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