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Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.
View all Q2 2017 Global Guide Quarterly updates
Amendments to the Posting of Workers Act (1999:678)
New Legislation Enacted
Author: Anna Jerndorf, Partner — Advokatfirman Törngren Magnell KB
On June 1, 2017, amendments to the Posting of Workers Act (1999:678) entered into force. The legislative amendments also extend the trade unions’ right to take industrial actions against foreign employers with posted workers to conclude a collective bargaining agreement. The trade unions now have a right to take industrial actions even if the posted workers already have terms and conditions equivalent to those of a collective bargaining agreement.
Labor Court Rules Against Anti-Abortion Midwife
Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency
Author: Anna Jerndorf, Partner — Advokatfirman Törngren Magnell KB
On April 12, 2017, the Swedish Labor Court ruled that a Swedish midwife was not discriminated against when she was denied employment because of her refusal to participate in abortion care. The reason for the midwife’s refusal was due to her religious beliefs. The court held that the midwife had not been denied employment due to her religious beliefs, but because of her refusal to perform duties under the employment contract. Region Jönköping county had the right to require all midwives to perform all duties under the employment contract, including abortion care. Thus, the court found that the denial of employment was not a violation of the midwife’s religious freedom, nor discrimination.
Government to Review Right to Take Industrial Actions
Important Action by Regulatory Agency
Author: Anna Jerndorf, Partner — Advokatfirman Törngren Magnell KB
On May 23, 2017, due to a drawn-out and escalating labor conflict regarding dockworkers in Gothenburg, the Swedish government announced that a review of the right to take industrial actions will be carried out, with the purpose of protecting the position of collective bargaining agreements on the Swedish labor market. An investigator will review the rules regarding the right to take industrial actions when a collective bargaining agreement is already in force, or where the actions are taken for other reasons than to enforce a collective bargaining agreement.