2024-09-25 13:33:16
Along with more than 2,000 work permit holders Currently employed in Northvolt, the foreigner is sure to be affected by the 1,600 redundancies Advertising by batteries this week.
In the opinion piece, The Local argued that Sweden should consider extending the three-month deadline to retain key foreign talent, help workers left behind to stay in the country, and align Sweden with Denmark and Norway, which both offer six months .
But a spokesman said he was not available for discussion at this time.
“Right now it’s not something the government is planning, but we’re following developments closely,” said Daniella Roos, press assistant for the migration minister.
There will likely be a longer deadline in the pipeline down the road, but not one that will benefit Swedish work permit holders affected by recent or ongoing strikes.
The EU Single Consent Policywhich aims to reform the work permit application process in all countries, states that the permits should be valid for at least six months in the event of unemployment, as long as the third country has been the originator of the permit for two years and have enough money to take care of themselves.
Those who have worked in a member state for at least two years should be able to stay for at least three months after losing their job, as is the case in Sweden today.
EU countries have until May 22nd 2026 to adopt the directive in national law.
“The EU directive you refer to was decided last spring and is to be implemented by the member states within two years. Sweden will definitely do that,” Roos confirmed.
Advertising
Some 2,200 employees at Northvolt, including 616 white employees in Skellefteå, 323 in Västerås and 140 in Stockholm, are in Sweden on work permits, Sveriges ingenjörer, the union representing people working in technology, tell the District.
When asked Helene Robson, Sveriges ingenjörer’s chief lawyer, whether Sweden should extend it for the three months, she said: “Personally, I think so. I think it is reasonable to make it compatible with our neighboring countries. It makes sense.”
He also called on the government to try to recruit people who have already established lives in Sweden and have the skills that the country needs so much. “Bring this energy back to Sweden (…) people who are ready to live here and actually have the right energy for our industry. Don’t miss that,” he said.
Advertising
Northvolt warned earlier in September that it will have to lay off workers and close parts of its company in Skellefteå to deal with economic challenges, although it has until this week not given details on how much it might affect.
Last week, an undisclosed number of migrant workers have been let go before the formal round of layoffs has even begun.
Northvolt is the latest in a series of Swedish technology giants to struggle with the economic pressure of the past few years. Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson said earlier this year it was cut 8.6 percent of its Swedish employees.
In early March, the Swedish Labor Ministry announced that the country was facing the highest unemployment rate in a decadewithout the pandemic period.
#Sweden #extending #threemonth #deadline #layoff #work #permit #holders