The National Board of Health and Welfare was concerned that those who were pregnant after week 20 and contracted Covid-19 risked a premature birth. Some schools therefore chose to ban women who were 20 weeks pregnant from working, citing the risk of infection. According to Åsa Fahlén, there are currently around 30 of their members.
Those who were pregnant and prohibited from working received pregnancy compensation instead of salary. The Swedish Teachers’ Union believes that this compensation was far too low.
– A teacher who earns 30,000 loses 6,000-7,000 kroner a month. Anyone who earns 40,000 loses close to 12,000 SEK, says Åsa Fahlén.
State responsibility
Åsa Fahlén refers to the EU maternity protection directive. According to the directive, which Sweden has committed to through its membership, pregnant women who are unable to work because of their pregnancy must not be discriminated against or disadvantaged.
– We believe that municipalities and insurance funds are part of the public sector, that is why we turn to the state, says Fahlén.
Investigation not enough
During the autumn, a government inquiry was presented which suggested that pregnancy compensation should be raised to the same level as sickness compensation.
– It is not enough to increase the pregnancy allowance, you still lose too much and the maternity protection directive says that you should not lose anything.
– We believe that our members should receive compensation up to the salary they had, says Åsa Fahlén.
SVT has contacted the Minister for the Elderly and Social Insurance, Anna Tanje, who has chosen not to comment.