In Sweden take we take care of sick and disabled people. That is why we have built a strong public social insurance system. But the sick leaves are many and long. Therefore, the government has tasked Försäkringskassan (FK) with reducing the number of sickness absences. Which has resulted in FK requesting an examination of the work ability in 90% of cases. Doctors' certificates are not infrequently questioned.
This is wrong way to go. Sweden can do better. Sick people should of course receive sickness benefit. Only in doubtful cases should FK request an examination of the ability to work. Sick people need time for care, rehabilitation and recovery. This is how a humane society works. This is how an effective society works.
Although the government rightly criticized for the handling of the sickness benefit, it is important to remember that it was the Alliance that introduced the further time limit for the sickness insurance.
It was also the Alliance that introduced that after a certain time the sick person's ability to work would be tested against normally occurring work. Even if these jobs did not exist in reality - only they could hypothetically exist. So after a while, the person on sick leave will not only be sick but also unemployed. The Employment Service has criticized Försäkringskassan because the jobseekers on sick leave are often too ill to be able to work.
Now the Minister of Social Security, Annika Strandhäll, is investigating whether the rule on normal working hours should be relaxed.
Do you want better social insurance? Vote red-green in September.