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Indians may gain from new Swedish immigration law

Sandeep Dikshit

India is the number one country of origin of labour migrants in Sweden
Work permit will be for two years with possible extensions

NEW DELHI: Sweden is revising its immigration laws that could provide openings for both high-skilled and low-skilled workforce from India.

The new policy, expected to come in force from December, does not limit the number of workers seeking employment from a particular country and also grants two-year work permits as against the current validity of one year. Currently, India is the number one country of origin of labour migrants in Sweden.

Stating that migration is a “positive force,” Sweden’s Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billstrom said here on Tuesday that this was the one of the most significant reforms of immigration policy in several decades to counter the effects of an ageing population.

Elaborating on the new migration rules at a seminar organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Billstrom said that in contrast to existing immigration regulations permitting immigration only for high-skilled jobs the new policy focuses on employers’ demand for high as well as low-skilled workers.

Sweden currently faces a shortage of doctors, nurses, engineers, electricians, IT technicians and welders.

Once the new rules are enforced, an employer who is not able to meet labour needs through recruitment in Sweden or in the European Union will be able to recruit labour from any other country. Decisions regarding residence and work permits will be based on employers’ own assessment of the needs.

‘Social dumping’

The Labour Migration Board of Sweden will avoid “social dumping” by examining the terms of employment which should be at par with the existing employees.

Another unique feature of the policy is the right to family reunification, which means the spouse or the family of the migrant will also have full access to the labour market.

After four years, a permanent residence permit can be granted to those who wish to remain.

As of now, the work permit is available only for one year which is extendable to one and a half year.

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