SWEDEN – Labour Market Search Now Required for Local Hires
Effective immediately, advertising must be carried out prior to submitting work permit applications for employees moving to Sweden who will be on local contract, even where those assignees are intra company transferees. This change was first discussed in mid-June and, although there has been no “official” announcement, is now in place.
What Are the Rules for Advertising?
The advertisement must be run for at least ten days, in a place which is accessible to all job applicants in the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The recommended place to advertise is the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), who will also place the advertisement on the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES).
The advertisement can run while the offer of employment is being reviewed and qualified by the relevant union (a step which was already necessary) and so does not necessarily extend the overall processing time. However, it is another administrative step which must be carried out and, of course, if qualified applicants respond to the advertisement, it will be difficult for employers to justify the need to bring a foreign national in to Sweden.
Action Items
- Note the requirement to advertise positions for local hires, even intra company transferees, effective immediately, and contact Peregrine, or Newcomers directly, for more advice on the matter.