Almost every third shop employee is poor

Published 11 November 2024 at 09.41

Economy. A new report from the Trade Employees' Union shows that many store employees cannot live on their wages. Involuntary part-time work leads to 3 out of 10 employees living below the poverty line.

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– It is unacceptable that so many retail workers cannot live on their wages. It creates insecurity throughout life. Many want to work more but don't get the chance. This will be an important issue for us in the agreement movement, says Linda Palmetzhofer, union chairman of the Trade Employees' Union.

The Swedish Consumer Agency estimates that a single 20-year-old with their own accommodation needs SEK 19,200 in disposable monthly income to cover their expenses. According to the report, average monthly income for store employees is only SEK 19,120 before tax. Disposable income will be even lower after tax.

– Part-time work leads to low incomes, which creates an unreasonable standard of living. Our survey shows that most of Handels members who work in stores want more hours, says Stefan Carlén, Chief Economist at Handels, in a press release.

For example, 76 percent of those who have 20-29 hours want work more, but must not, the report shows. One hour more a week would mean around SEK 760 extra per month in income, and two hours more would give around SEK 1,520 more.