Transport industry pays price for strong krona
One in five Swedish transport companies believe they will have to let staff go, citing the weak European economy and the strength of the Swedish currency as factors weighing down on exports.
A study by the Transport Group (Transportgruppen), the umbrella organization for associations and companies in the transportation sector in Sweden, released its Transport Indicator, an attitude survey among its members meant to summarize the mood in the sector.
Thirteen percent of the association's 11,000 member companies said they were hoping to employ more people despite the slump. In the near future, however, 22 percent thought they may have to cut back in staffing.
More than a quarter of employees said they were certain that their company's turnover would shrink.
"The 'Transport Indicator' confirms what we've seen in previous surveys," Transport Group CEO Peter Jeppson said in a statement.
"More turbulence in the global economy and further staff cutbacks could make matters even worse."
Jeppson said he hoped calmer heads would prevail in upcoming collective bargaining negotiations.
"It is important that the negotiations are characterized by a sense of responsibility and temperance in order not to jeopardize employment and the Swedish economy," he said.
According to the association's own calculations, the transport sector accounts for 6 percent of jobs in Sweden. Its members employ more than 160,000 people.
The Local/at
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A study by the Transport Group (Transportgruppen), the umbrella organization for associations and companies in the transportation sector in Sweden, released its Transport Indicator, an attitude survey among its members meant to summarize the mood in the sector.
Thirteen percent of the association's 11,000 member companies said they were hoping to employ more people despite the slump. In the near future, however, 22 percent thought they may have to cut back in staffing.
More than a quarter of employees said they were certain that their company's turnover would shrink.
"The 'Transport Indicator' confirms what we've seen in previous surveys," Transport Group CEO Peter Jeppson said in a statement.
"More turbulence in the global economy and further staff cutbacks could make matters even worse."
Jeppson said he hoped calmer heads would prevail in upcoming collective bargaining negotiations.
"It is important that the negotiations are characterized by a sense of responsibility and temperance in order not to jeopardize employment and the Swedish economy," he said.
According to the association's own calculations, the transport sector accounts for 6 percent of jobs in Sweden. Its members employ more than 160,000 people.
The Local/at
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