ARBETSKRAFTSINVANDRING: REGLERING ELLER REKRYTERING?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the motives behind Sweden’s shift towards a more restrictive labor migration policy, specifically the introduction of a salary floor and how various actors have responded to this. Despite that Europe is facing a demographic crisis with an ageing population, many European countries have tried to reduce immigration since the 2000s. Sweden was one of few European countries who tried to counteract the demographic situation early on, when the Swedish government introduced a new liberal policy on labor migration in 2008. Since the right-wing party including Moderaterna, Liberalerna, and Kristdemokraterna, with Sverigedemokraterna as a supporting party, won the Swedish election in 2022, they made it apparent that the legislation regarding labor migration had to be restricted. The theoretical framework in this study distinguishes between market-liberal and state-coordinated policies, as well as the inherent tension between economic growth and security. Using a qualitative motive analysis, this research investigates government inquiry SOU 2024:15, the 63 different referral responses, and the 2025 proposal referred to the Council on Legislation for consideration regarding the salary floor. The results show that the Swedish government justifies the salary floor – set at 90 percent of the median wage – as a tool to combat labor exploitation and prioritize the domestic workforce for low-skilled occupations. However, the referral responses reveal that there is a sharp divide: while state authorities generally support the policy for increased control, labor market partners, regions and municipalities, and educational institutions are highly critical to the introduction of a salary floor. These critics argue that the reform undermines the Swedish model of independent wage setting and threatens the long-term competence supply and competitiveness of Swedish businesses and the welfare sector, ultimately failing to address the structural challenges of an ageing society. The study concludes that the government´s focus on regulatory security regarding labor migration appears to overshadow the demographic concerns raised by several of the consulted referral responders.