Swedes Are Missing From Work

The Australian reports:

Swedish employers will, as of January, be entitled to ask employees for a doctor's note on their first day of sick leave if they want to qualify for benefits, according to a draft bill presented last night.

The proposal is aimed at combating high levels of long-term sick leave and disability, but has been heavily criticised amid fears it could overload doctors.

It is seen as a thinly veiled bid to hunt down abusers of Sweden's generous welfare system.

Under the current system, Swedish employers can ask a sick employee for a doctor's certificate after a week's absence.

According to the Ministry of Social Affairs, almost 20 per cent of Swedes in the workforce are receiving sickness benefits. Out of 4.5 million people, some 540,000 are receiving early retirement benefits due to disability and a further 250,000 are on long-term sick leave.

Welfare state ethics.