“There is a risk that individuals will remain unemployed for an unnecessarily long time,” says the Director General of the Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate (IAF) Mathias Wahlsten.
Therefore, the IAF is now directing sharp criticism at the Arbetsförmedlingen’s control work.
“We only direct serious criticism when we see flaws of a larger scale or if it is a matter of more serious deviations from the regulations, and when it simply risks affecting the legitimacy of unemployment benefits,” says Wahlsten.
No change
Criticism of the Employment Service was raised by the IAF already in 2017.
Since then, the authority has centralized its control work, which has had a positive effect, according to the director general.
But when it comes to the regulations around what is called “suitable work” and search areas, problems remain, according to the review.
In order to receive compensation from the unemployment fund, the person who is unemployed must actively look for jobs that are “suitable” based on, somewhat simplified, previous experience and where the person lives.
If the job seeker has not found a job after a while, the job search must be broadened, and the person may need to consider moving, for example.
If the person does not do what is required to find a new job, the Employment Agency must notify the unemployment fund.
And this is where the IAF believes that the Arbetsförmedlingen is failing in its work.
The employment agency must find a balance in supporting jobseekers in the job hunt and at the same time check that the requirements for compensation from the unemployment insurance fund are met, according to the Director General of the Unemployment Insurance Inspectorate, Mathias Wahlsten. Money can be paid out for too long
That this control work works is important from several perspectives, according to Mathias Wahlsten, Director General of the IAF.
The short answer is to get as short a turnaround time as possible and that the workforce is matched to where jobs actually exist, he says.
— There is a risk that individuals will remain unemployed for an unnecessarily long time, but also that unemployment benefits may be paid out for longer than necessary.
“This lack of control also risks the Employment Service failing to draw attention to a jobseeker’s need for extra support,” he adds.
The employment agency has a dual mission, says Wahlsten.
The authority must support jobseekers in the search for a new job, and at the same time check that the person meets the requirements to receive social security.
— Here, Arbetsförmedlingen needs to find a balance.