In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 102 (social security, minimum standards), 121 (employment injury benefits), 128 (invalidity, old-age and survivors’ benefits), 130 (medical care and sickness benefits) and 168 (employment promotion and protection against unemployment) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees (TCO) communicated with the Government’s report on Convention No. 130.

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government regarding the application of Articles 8, 10(1)(3), 14, 15, 24(4), 43, 69 and 71(3) of Convention No. 102; Articles 6, 9(1)(2), 10, 11, 16 and 22 of Convention No. 121; Articles 18, 23, 29 and 32 of Convention No. 128; Articles 7, 9, 13, 19, 28 and 30 of Convention No. 130; and Articles 18 and 26 of Convention No. 168.

Article 9(3), in conjunction with Articles 14(2) and 22 of Convention No. 121. Duration of employment injury benefits. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication in its report that the work injury annuity is provided up to the age of 65 at the latest, or one month before reaching the age of 68 if a person continues to work. The Committee recalls that Article 9(3) of the Convention requires the benefits to be granted throughout the contingency. The Committee further recalls that Article 22 of the Convention does not provide for the possibility to suspend the benefits upon reaching a certain age. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on: (i) the benefits provided to injured persons after they have reached the age of 65 and stopped working; (ii) whether these benefits are paid at the level required by Article 14(2) of the Convention; and (iii) whether there are any qualifying conditions for the entitlement to such benefits.

Article 19(2) of Convention No. 121. Calculation of employment injury benefits. The Committee takes note that the amount of the work injury annuity is determined based on the sickness benefit qualifying income (SGI). The Committee further notes that the SGI is considered as an income from employment which is expected to last for at least six consecutive months, according to section 3(2) of Chapter 25 of the Social Security Code of 2010. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on how the SGI is determined for persons with employment shorter than six months in case of permanent loss of earning capacity or corresponding loss of faculty due to employment injury.

Article 15(3), in conjunction withArticles 17(a), 18(1)(a) and 26 of Convention No. 128. Reduction of pensionable age. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are no specific provisions concerning the retirement age of persons who have been engaged in arduous and hazardous occupations under the public pension system. The Committee further notes that the retirement age for the old-age income pension is flexible and starts at the age of 63 in 2023 (section 3 of Chapter 56 of the Social Insurance Code of 2010). The Government also indicates that from 2026, the retirement age will be linked to the increase in life expectancy. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the replacement rate of the old-age income pension drawn at the earliest retirement age, by a skilled manual male employee who has completed 30 years of contribution or employment, in accordance with Titles I and III of the report form for Article 26 of the Convention.

Article 23(a), in conjunction with Articles 24(1)(a) and 26 of Convention No. 128. Replacement rate of survivors’ benefits. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the adjustment pension provided to a surviving spouse is 55 per cent of the deceased’s pension base. In addition, the reduced guarantee pension is provided to persons who have resided in Sweden for at least three years. The Government further indicates that the child pension is equal to 35 per cent of the deceased’s pension base for one child and increases by 25 per cent for each additional child. The child pension may be supplemented by the surviving children’s allowance of 40 per cent of the price base amount in case the child pension is low. The Committee requests the Government to calculate the replacement rate of survivors’ benefits provided to a standard beneficiary (a surviving spouse with two children) in case the deceased spouse completed 15 years of contribution or employment, in accordance with Titles I and IV of the report form for Article 26 of the Convention.

Article 25, in conjunction with Articles 1(h) and 21 of Convention No. 128. Duration of survivors’ benefits. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the adjustment pension is provided to a surviving spouse aged under 65 for a period of 12 months, or as long as the surviving spouse lives with a dependent child aged under 12. The Committee recalls that the right to a survivors’ benefit is provided to surviving spouses who are caring for a dependent child of the deceased (Article 21(2)(3)(b) of the Convention). According to Article 1(h) of the Convention, the term “child” covers a child under school-leaving age or under 15 years of age, whichever is higher or a child who is an apprentice or student or has a chronic illness or infirmity disabling him/her for any gainful activity, under prescribed conditions. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to extend the duration of the adjustment pension provided to a surviving spouse who is caring for a dependent child older than 12 years of age.

Article 15 of Convention No. 102 and Article 19 of Convention No. 130. Coverage of the self-employed. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the conditions for entitlement to sickness benefits are the same for self-employed persons and employees. The Committee further notes the TCO’s observations indicating that the entitlement to sickness benefits and their amount depend on the verification of the SGI by the National insurance board. In this respect, the TCO points out that such verification is particularly problematic for self-employed persons, whose SGI is often much lower than their actual income. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that self-employed persons are entitled to benefits based on the SGI determined from their actual income.

Article 11(1) of Convention No. 168. Persons protected by unemployment benefits. The Committee notes that in its 2022 conclusions on the application of the European Code of Social Security by Sweden, it noted as regards the income-loss insurance coverage that 78 per cent of the work force held membership in the unemployment insurance funds. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged with a view to increasing the income-loss insurance coverage up to at least 85 per cent of all employees. It further requests the Government to provide statistical data on the number of persons covered by the income-loss insurance.

Article 15 (1)(b) of Convention No. 168.Replacement rate of unemployment benefits. The Government indicates that a daily basic amount of unemployment benefit is SEK510 (approximately €43) in 2023. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the basic amount of the unemployment benefit is fixed at not less than 50 per cent of the statutory minimum wage, if it exists, or of the wage of an ordinary labourer, or at a level which provides the minimum essential for basic living expenses, whichever is the highest.