Arbetsförmedlingen: how the system talks
The vocabulary of the Swedish unemployment system — a-kassa rules, programmes, subsidised jobs, sanctions — as it appears in letters and in conversations with your handläggare.
- 1
att vara inskriven som arbetssökande
to be registered as a job seeker
Tip: 'inskriven' = the state; 'skriva in sig' = the act.
- 2
att bli utskriven
to be deregistered
Tip: Happens when you get a job — or miss too many reports.
- 3
Platsbanken
the job board
Tip: AF's own listings site; most public-sector jobs are there.
- 4
en handlingsplan
an individual action plan
Tip: The document your planning call produces.
- 5
att uppfylla villkoren för ersättning
to qualify for benefit
Tip: lit. 'fulfil the conditions'.
- 6
arbetsvillkoret
the work requirement
Tip: Enough hours worked in the last 12 months to get a-kassa.
- 7
medlemsvillkoret
the membership requirement
Tip: 12 months in the a-kassa before benefit is paid at the income-based rate.
- 8
inkomstbaserad ersättning
income-based benefit
Tip: Up to 80% of previous salary, capped.
- 9
grundbeloppet
the basic amount
Tip: What you get without the membership requirement — low.
- 10
karensdagarna
the waiting days
Tip: Unpaid days at the start of every benefit period.
- 11
ersättningsperioden
the benefit period
Tip: 300 days; 450 if you have children under 18.
- 12
en sanktion
a sanction
Tip: Lost benefit days for missing a report or refusing a job.
- 13
att få en varning
to be issued a warning
Tip: First step of the sanction ladder.
- 14
att tacka nej till ett lämpligt arbete
to turn down a suitable job
Tip: 'lämpligt arbete' is a legal term — and you cannot.
- 15
att tacka ja till ett jobberbjudande
to accept a job offer
Tip: 'tacka ja / tacka nej' = accept / decline.
- 16
jobb- och utvecklingsgarantin
the job and development guarantee
Tip: The programme for the long-term unemployed.
- 17
etableringsprogrammet
the establishment programme
Tip: For newly arrived residents; combines SFI, work practice and support.
- 18
aktivitetsstöd
activity support
Tip: The money paid while in a programme; via Försäkringskassan, not the a-kassa.
- 19
ett lönebidrag
a wage subsidy
Tip: Employer support for hiring someone with reduced work capacity.
- 20
ett introduktionsjobb
an introductory job
Tip: A subsidised job for newcomers and the long-term unemployed.
- 21
ett nystartsjobb
a new-start job
Tip: Employer pays less tax when hiring you after a long time out.
- 22
arbetspraktik
work practice
Tip: Unpaid placement arranged by AF; you keep your support.
- 23
en arbetsmarknadsutbildning
a labour market training course
Tip: Short vocational training AF pays for.
- 24
en kartläggning av din kompetens
a mapping of your skills
Tip: 'kartläggning' = mapping; first step in the establishment programme.
- 25
validering
validation of prior learning
Tip: Getting foreign qualifications formally recognised.
- 26
att få sin utbildning bedömd
to have your qualifications assessed
Tip: Done by UHR, not AF — but AF sends you there.
- 27
ett karriärbyte
a career change
Tip: AF prefers 'omställning'.
- 28
en matchning
a match between you and the job
Tip: 'matcha' is AF's core verb — matching seekers to vacancies.
- 29
att vara sjukskriven som arbetslös
to be on sick leave while unemployed
Tip: You report sickness to AF too, or the report days count against you.
- 30
ärendet är avslutat
the case has been closed
Tip: 'ärende' = case/matter; the phrase in the final letter.