Higher Wage Increases for Women Than for Men in Sweden

2003 Wage Statistics

By LO

This is a change for the better as regards women's wages as a whole. On the other hand, the report points out that there still are big wage differentials between women and men.

Women as a group get wages that are 82 per cent of men's wages.

The fact that the increase was higher also in kronor within some sectors shows that we have made progress in our efforts for more equal wages, says Erland Olauson, the LO Negotiations Secretary.

It is important for us now in the trade union movement to hold on to our strategy and to continue our work for equal wages, Erland Olauson says.

In the report, comparisons are also made between the wage development of blue collar workers and white collar workers and the conclusion is that the wage increases during 2003 only showed a minor difference, i e 3,7 per cent for blue collar and 3,8 per cent for white collar workers. During the preceding five years, the wage trend outcome has shown increases to the advantage of white collar workers, not only in kronas but also in percentage.