Sample questions: Labour market and personal finances
Public and private sector, unions and employers, collective agreements, tax, unemployment insurance and personal finances.
The labour market is divided into the public sector (state, regions and municipalities, financed by tax, about 30 per cent of those working) and the private sector (privately owned companies, about 70 per cent). Employers organise in employer organisations such as Svenskt Näringsliv, Arbetsgivarverket and SKR; employees in trade unions within the central organisations LO, TCO and Saco. Unions and employers negotiate collective agreements on pay and conditions — in Sweden wages are set by negotiation between the parties, not by the state. There are laws on working time, the work environment and holidays. Everyone who works pays tax on their pay and it is illegal to work without paying tax. The unemployment fund (a-kassa) pays benefit to those who have worked enough and are actively looking for work. The Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) makes sure debts are paid and can help with debt restructuring.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
What do trade unions and employer organisations negotiate together?
- AThe state budget
- BLaws on the working environment
- CCollective agreements on pay and working conditions
- DThe municipal tax rate
Correct answer: C. Collective agreements on pay and working conditions
Why: Trade unions and employer organisations negotiate and sign collective agreements on pay and working conditions. They apply to all employees at the workplaces covered by the agreement. In Sweden pay is set by negotiation between the parties, not by the state.
What applies to someone who works in Sweden and receives a salary?
- AYou choose for yourself whether to pay tax
- BYou pay tax only after five years in the country
- CYou pay tax only if you are a Swedish citizen
- DYou pay tax on your salary, and it is illegal to work without paying tax
Correct answer: D. You pay tax on your salary, and it is illegal to work without paying tax
Why: Everyone who works pays tax on their salary. How much you pay depends on your income. It is illegal to work without paying tax.
Roughly what share of people working in Sweden work in the private sector?
- AAbout 70 per cent
- BAbout 50 per cent
- CAbout 90 per cent
- DAbout 30 per cent
Correct answer: A. About 70 per cent
Why: About 70 per cent of everyone working in Sweden works in the private sector, while about 30 per cent work in the public sector.
Which of these jobs belongs to the public sector?
- AA construction worker in a private firm
- BA shop assistant in a private shop
- CA teacher in a municipal school
- DA chef at a private restaurant
Correct answer: C. A teacher in a municipal school
Why: The public sector consists of activities run by the state, the regions and the municipalities and financed by taxes — for example health staff, teachers, childcare workers, police and firefighters.
What is a collective agreement?
- AAn agreement on pay and working conditions between a trade union and an employers' organisation
- BA law passed by the Riksdag
- CAn agreement between the state and the individual employee
- DAn employment certificate from the Employment Service
Correct answer: A. An agreement on pay and working conditions between a trade union and an employers' organisation
Why: Trade unions and employers' organisations negotiate and sign collective agreements on pay and working conditions. They apply to all employees at the workplaces covered by the agreement.
Who decides wages in Sweden?
- AThe government each year
- BThe labour market parties through negotiation
- CThe Riksdag by law
- DThe Employment Service
Correct answer: B. The labour market parties through negotiation
Why: In Sweden wages are set through negotiations between the labour market parties — trade unions and employers' organisations — not by the state.
Which are the largest trade union confederations in Sweden?
- AThe Tax Agency, Försäkringskassan and the Employment Service
- BKommunal, IF Metall and Vision
- CSvenskt Näringsliv, SKR and Arbetsgivarverket
- DLO, TCO and Saco
Correct answer: D. LO, TCO and Saco
Why: The largest trade union confederations are the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (Saco).
Which organisation represents private employers in Sweden?
- ALO
- BSaco
- CSvenskt Näringsliv
- DTCO
Correct answer: C. Svenskt Näringsliv
Why: Svenskt Näringsliv is the employers' organisation for private companies. Arbetsgivarverket and SKR represent public sector workplaces.