I read a vanity a few days ago by someone who lived in Sweden. They said there just aren’t any jobs. So when this article notes that “jobs are increasing”, it seems they are addressing a problem the country is having.
- There are plenty of jobs and many employers have huge difficulties finding staff, but it’s much more difficult getting a job in Sweden if you are a foreigner/of foreign origin or if you lack education compared to the US. The companies that are screaming for labor are mostly high-tech ones who’re looking for very well educated specialists of different sorts.
Another aspect is that a lot of people who are ‘officially unemployed’ actually do work, but work illegally (this is perhaps more common among immigrants, but also rather common among native Swedes). This way they get a generous unemployment benefit, a decent income and pay no income taxes.
Officially, unemployment is around 5%.
Heck, I'm hearing that in the US. Contrast that with my own experience...
We *just* found someone that was capable of handling an entry-level computer job. Basically, all we were looking for was someone with some phone and communications skills, who would show up on time, and could tell the difference between a computer and a breadbox. And it took my company over 2 months to find this guy.
You'd be amazed. We had people blow off interviews, show up late to interviews - had one kid take a technical interview call from me (scheduled well in advance) on his cell phone while he was getting groceries (and he was *very* distracted, I might add). There was another who seemed very competent, but every other word out of her mouth started with F*** (on a phone interview, for a job that's mostly talking on the phone! incredible!) Another guy told us - flat out TOLD US- that he didn't want a help desk job (My next question was "Well, why are you here interviewing for one? That ended the interview.) And these people wonder why they can't find jobs.....
AND!....all of these people were the ones that made it through 2 screens - our headhunter and our own HR. At least in my area, pickings are pretty slim for competent help.