Occupational change on the dualised Swedish labour market

Abstract

In the Swedish labour market, recent research has revealed tendencies of both dualisation – implying growth in temporary employment – and polarisation – referring to increased employment in both low- and high-paid jobs, while middle-paid jobs decrease. This study explores the relationships between changes in the occupational structure and the distribution of temporary employment. Using the Labour Force Survey and comparing changes between 2000 and 2015, the study shows a main pattern of upgrading. However, splitting the analysis into permanent and temporary employment, tendencies of polarisation are revealed: growth at the low-paid end consists of temporary employment, while the increase at the high-paid end is mainly of open-ended contracts. Different kinds of temporary contracts matter – on-call employees are more likely to be found at the low end, and project workers at the high end. The study shows increasing precariousness in the lower end of the occupational structure.