Sweden's government, with the support of the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats, has announced that it will double the income requirement for foreign
workers in an effort to curb immigration. The new requirement will raise the monthly income requirement for labor immigrants from SEK 13,000 (€1,238) to SEK 26,560 (€2,534). Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard believes that the measure will reduce immigration by a few thousand people, as it is aimed at stopping low-wage jobs. Stenergard has stated that it is "completely unreasonable" for people to come from the other side of the world for a monthly salary of SEK 13,000.
Labour immigration is currently the largest part of immigration to Sweden. Last year, over 24,000 work permits were granted, compared to about 9,000 residence permits for protection seekers (excluding Ukrainian refugees). The Swedish Migration Agency has forecasted that 100,000 foreigners will apply for work permits in Sweden this year.
Although the income requirement doubling is not enough for the Sweden Democrats, who are not part of the ruling coalition, they offer support to the center-right government in exchange for the implementation of their politics, particularly on migration. The parties agreed to an increased income requirement for labor immigrants corresponding to the median wage, around SEK 33,000 (€3,151), in the coalition agreement. Further tightening is expected, considering recent tensions between the Sweden Democrats and the ruling coalition on migration. An investigation is currently reviewing how the wage requirement can be raised more while allowing for more exceptions, such as seasonal berry pickers. The proposal is now being sent for consultation, and the plan is for it to enter into force on 1 October. Photo by Frankie Fouganthin, Wikimedia commons.