EU

Sweden and Denmark are suing the EU over minimum wages.

Although the EU has emphasized that the Union does not intend to force a system of statutory minimum wages on member states, Sweden and Denmark have warned against such a development.

On October 4, 2022, the new directive on minimum wages was voted on by the EU countries. This decision means that EU member states are asked to introduce clear criteria on how salaries are calculated and updated.

However, this directive goes against the Swedish model, where unions and employers negotiate wages and collective agreements with employees.

Social Democrats and Swedish Democrats vs. the EU

Both the Swedish Democrats and the Social Democrats have demanded that the government back up Denmark's action against the directive in the EU court.

The main concern is that the directive's long-term effects on the Swedish labor market model will act against Sweden's best interests and the autonomy of labor market partners.

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by Lars Larsson/TT, Niklas Svahn/TT | edited by Riedia