The new rules for 24-hour rest, which will be introduced from 1 October, have been met with sharp criticism from several professional groups who do not appreciate being able to work shorter – but more – shifts. Hundreds of ambulance paramedics have resigned, not least in smaller towns where the staffing shortage is already great, says the Ambulance Association to Sweden’s radio Ekot.
Union Secretary Henrik Johansson believes that Sweden’s municipalities and regions, SKR, interpreted the EU directive too restrictively.
— We have unions throughout the EU, and there is no one else who makes this interpretation. In our Nordic neighboring countries and in the rest of the EU, ambulance personnel work exactly as usual. This interpretation that is now being made from SKR’s side, it is horrible, he tells TT.
Sweden has been criticized
Johansson believes that personnel in socially important activities are exempt from the rules on 24-hour rest in the EU directive, and that in practice they could therefore work exactly as usual with 24-hour shifts.
Jeanette Hedberg, head of negotiations at SKR, does not share the Ambulance Association’s view and says that the possibilities for exceptions should be interpreted restrictively.
— It is not enough to simply read the directive to know what is possible and what is not. We also have to relate to the jurisprudence that exists. But we have used the opportunities for exceptions that the directive provides.
What other EU countries do does not matter for Sweden, says Hedberg.
— It is true that there are other countries in the EU that have 24-hour passes, the solutions look different. But it is not decisive for our assessment, because we need to relate to the criticism that Sweden has received. Just because other countries have something doesn’t mean it’s approved.
Want to pursue the matter legally
The Ambulance Association will take the issue of the 24-hour rest period further legally, says Henrik Johansson, and he believes that the chances of getting it right are good.
— We believe that the regions are obliged to maintain their preparedness, and they are not doing that now. But it is sad that it has to go this far, and that the most fragile in society are affected when they are left without an ambulance.
— I’m pretty sure that SKR will get to drop the prestige and say that “we made a mistake”.