Stockholm Area has a funds surplus. It desires to supply a money bonus and additional days off for its workers

Stockholm Area had a funds surplus in 2021 due to elevated tax income and subsidies from the federal government. The area desires to supply some money to its workers in return for the work achieved through the pandemic. Healthcare workers would obtain 4 further days off.

The Area of Stockholm reported a surplus of SEK 1.82 billion (US$195 million) in comparison with its funds for 2021 in its preliminary outcomes on February 2.

It determined to supply its workers a bonus examine and additional days off for the healthcare sector with the excess.

The area explains the constructive outcomes with larger tax income and subsidies granted by the federal government, which greater than offset the elevated prices because of the pandemic.

The earnings are twice as excessive as what the area anticipated for 2021 however are inside tips for good funds administration in accordance with the Finance Regional Councilor Irene Svenonius.

On the identical time, the Regional Council Committee determined to suggest that public workers ought to obtain a COVID bonus of as much as SEK 10,000 ($1,072) for his or her extraordinary efforts through the pandemic in 2021. “It’s a strategy to present appreciation for the work achieved through the pandemic”, Stockholm Area mentioned in an announcement.

This may go for all public workers of the Stockholm area or for corporations owned by the area.

Individuals who would profit from the bonus would have to be employed from July 2021 till Could 2022 and the bonus can be capped at SEK 10,000 for a full-time worker.

The bonus is anticipated to value SEK 657 million ($70m) in 2022 – 36% of 2021’s funds surplus – protecting 44,000 workers.

Furthermore, it additionally desires to supply 4 further days off for its 38,000 healthcare workers.

Overcrowded hospitals in Stockholm

Area Stockholm is principally accountable for all publicly-financed healthcare and public transport in Stockholm County.

Income coming from public transport was considerably decreased by SEK 3.7 billion ($397m), of which the nationwide authorities solely lined a 3rd of what the area misplaced.

Nonetheless, within the healthcare sector prices, income, and earnings elevated in 2021. All prices for testing or vaccinating the inhabitants have been lined by the federal government.

The opposition welcomes the bonus however would reasonably see long-term funding for healthcare.

A survey carried out by the newspaper Aftonbladet reveals the capital’s hospital is overcrowded. Throughout the pandemic, greater than 21,000 operations have been postponed in Stockholm.

For Aida Hadzialic, chief of the Social Democrats for the area of Stockholm, the excess shouldn’t be “affordable when ready for care will increase, hospitals are understaffed and midwives resign as a result of working situations are too dangerous”.

The area of Stockholm already went above funds in 2020 by SEK 5.8 billion ($622m).

Sweden’s authorities introduced on January 28 it might make investments SEK 11 billion in 2022 for enhancing healthcare throughout the nation.

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