The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, is the leading representative of businesses in Sweden. We handle common issues with a view to improve the conditions for entrepreneurship in our country.
Membership that pays off
We work to ensure that enterprising people have the best conditions to operate in. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is responsible for dealing with issues that matter to all companies, irrespective of sector. We work at local, national and international level to
improve the business climate. This involves infl uencing policy and creating competitive conditions for enterpri- ses in issues of labour market, taxes, training, energy and infrastructure. Our member organisations work with sector-specifi c issues.
The climb to a successful change
In 2013, the Municipality of Nordmaling in Västerbotten ranked 278th out of 290 municipalities on the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s business climate list. By taking a long-term approach and by joining 200 other local authorities in setting up separate goals linked to the Confe- deration of Swedish Enterprise survey, the municipality has climbed to 48th place in the 2019 rankings. The change work has resulted in local companies experiencing a signifi cant improvement in attitude and a much higher level of service from the municipality.
Welfare profi t debate is history
In 2018, the Swedish Government proposed legislation on a profi t cap for private welfare companies. In practice the proposal, which was based on the Reepalu report, would have signifi cantly limited the scope for businesses to operate in the welfare sector.
In the face of overwhelming criticism from business owners in Sweden, the proposal was voted down in the Swedish Parliament and has since disappeared from the political agenda.
Power of infl uence
In collective agreements, employers are linking arms to ensure that pay agreements contribute to reinforcing competitiveness and that salaries can be set locally autonomously by companies and their employees. If trade unions and employers fail to reach an agreement in their negotiations, and if member companies are hit by an industrial dispute such as a strike, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise pays confl ict com- pensation to aff ected companies. The working relationship may also involve the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise teaming up with its member organisations and member companies to tackle a key issue for businesses.
Co-funded sick pay stopped
The proposal for co-funded sick pay entails employers covering 25 per cent of sick pay for employees on sick leave more than 90 days. The proposal was unreasonable and potentially damaging given that employers are rare- ly the cause of protracted sick leave and can do little to infl uence it.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise organised a campaign that chan- nelled the companies’ protests. The government listened and withdrew the proposal.
Amended rules of industrial dispute
In Gothenburg Harbour, one of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s member companies was subjected to repeated strikes and blockades even though it was covered by a collective agreement. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise alerted politicians and trades union organisations to the fact that the company was not being allowed to operate without disruption, which undermined confi dence in the collective agreement model. In 2019, Swedish Parliament amended the rules on industrial disputes, consolidating the obligation for industrial peace at companies with collective agreements.
Collaboration on employer issues
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise also negotiates terms and conditions for occupational pensions and insurance policies on commission by member organisations.
Through our collective agreements, which are regula- ted between the parties on the labour market, compa- nies have access to very favourable pension solutions and insurance policies for their employees.
Being able to off er employees security both during and after their working lives helps companies profi le themselves as attractive employers.
Collective agreements mean cost-eff ective occupational pensions
The occupational pensions organised through collective agreements are designed to be cost-eff ective for employers and provide the highest possible pension for all employees. Since our initial procure- ment in 2007, the fees have decreased by 72 per cent on average.
In our most recent procurement in 2018, the average fees for funds that can be chosen via ITP fell from 0.38 to 0.30 per cent. The same funds cost around three times as much in the open market.
Free, effi cient support in the event of shortage of work The transition agreement is intended to support white and blue collar employees who have been laid off on account of shortage of work. They also support the employer who execute the transition.
The agreements consist of transition support and severance pay for the employees.
Benefi cial insurance policies
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise is the leading representative of businesses in Sweden. We handle issues that are common to all companies, with a view to improving the conditions for entrepreneurship in our country. We influence business climate – focusing on laws, regulations, and your interactions with local autho- rities and business-related issues.
We shape public opinion and disseminate knowledge with a view to develop new ideas and we prepare speci- fic proposals that are geared to improving the conditions for entrepreneurship.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise comprises 60,000 small, medium-sized and large enterprises.
Our members are organised in 50 sector and employer associations which constitute our member organisations.
Power to influence
• Through our presence in 21 regions, we have the power to influence decision-makers across the whole of Sweden.
• Our specialists conduct lobbying activities to influence parliament and the government.
• In Brussels, we monitor and influence decision- making within the EU.
Collaboration on employer issues
• Strong trade unions require a strong counterpart.
Our member organisations handle the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s responsibilities for coordina- ting collective agreements; a collaborative venture intended to boost the competitiveness of Swedish companies.
• Our conflict fund – which currently stands at SEK 12 billion – provides member companies with peace of mind in the form of compensation in the event of industrial action.
Beneficial insurance policies
• Collective agreements provide access to favourable pension terms and insurance solutions at a reasona- ble cost.
• If your company currently has an agreement with a trade union organisation, the discount available on insurance premiums negotiated through our collective agreement often corresponds to the total membership fee.
• Benefits to make you an attractive employer.
• Through TRR and TSL, your company has access to assistance with more efficient transitioning in the event of terminations.
• Finfa advises companies in insurance issues.
As a member of the Confederation
of Swedish Enterprise, you can be
sure your voice will be heard.
A total of 50 sector associations and employer associations work together in the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
This translates into unmatched breadth and strength. We are the leading organisation for companies in Sweden.
Our regions
Through our presence in 21 regions, we are never far from our member companies, which puts us in a better position to off er member benefi ts. Having a local presence enables us to work closer to politicians, decision-makers and the media in shaping and infl uencing public opinion throughout Sweden.
www.svensktnaringsliv.se/regioner
Local business climate
The local business climate is featured in the debate in our allowing around 30,000 business owners in Sweden to present their views on the business climate to their local authority every year. The results of our survey and rankings lay the foundations for dialogue and development at all 290 local authorities in Sweden.
www.foretagsklimat.se
EU – Brussels
With our presence in Brussels, we can monitor and infl uence decision-making within the EU. We are also striving to make Europe more competitive through Business- Europe – our counterpart at EU level and the leading business community organisation in Europe.
www.svensktnaringsliv.se/fragor/europa
Insurance information
Finfa – which is part of Confederation of Swedish Enterprise provides information and free advice on insurance policies and occupational pensions organised through collective agreements.
www.fi nfa.se
News service fPlus
fPlus is a news service for entrepreneurs – presenting the latest news from Sweden and around the world, with the opportunity to access more details about the stories that align with your interests.
www.fplus.se
Daily newsletter
Our newsletter Nytt från Svenskt Näringsliv (News from the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise) lets you follow the debate about the conditions that apply to the business community, and to study solutions and opportunities in more depth.
www.svensktnaringsliv.se/nyhetsbrev
For additional information about membership, please contact us at:
medlemskapsfragor@svensktnaringsliv.se – +46 8 553 430 00 For the addresses of our member organisations, see:
www.svensktnaringsliv.se/medlemsorganisationer
November 2019
