Within the scope of the EU-funded project "Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue (WPC)", implemented in collaboration between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Directorate of Guidance and Inspection (DoGI) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, a study visit to Sweden was conducted on 25-29 August 2025.
The tripartite delegation from Türkiye, composed of the Director of DoGI and chief labour inspectors, as well as representatives from workers' and employers' organisations TÜRK-İŞ and TİSK, and ILO, held meetings with the Ministry of Employment (Arbetsmarknadsdepartementet), the Swedish Work Environment Authority (SWEA), the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise (SAWEE), the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO), the Healthy Workplaces Initiative (Suntarbetsliv), the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv), the National Mediation Office (Medlingsinstitutet), and the Construction Safety Park (Byggbranschens Säkerhetspark). The delegation also visited the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Stockholm to discuss opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the field of labour relations.
Preventive OSH practices and data-driven inspection approaches
The visit provided first-hand insights into how workplace compliance in Sweden is built upon a preventive safety culture, inspections supported by technology, research and data, and social dialogue. Discussions focused on the impact of non-standard forms of employment (such as platform work, short-term contracts and telework) and digitalisation on labour inspection. It was highlighted that administrative issues such as wage payment, annual leave and overtime are often regulated through collective agreements, with trade unions playing an active role, thus reducing the need for inspector intervention. In addition, the active role of workplace safety representatives - mandatory in workplaces with at least five employees, union-mandated and vested with the authority to stop work in case of imminent danger - was underlined. The meeting with SAWEE further addressed evidence-based policymaking and ongoing research on emerging risks, including psychosocial risks, ergonomics, chemical/biological hazards and OSH challenges linked to climate change.
© ILO / Burcu Akça
Multi-level dialogue with social partners
Sessions with LO and TCO focused on the trade union structure in Sweden, the country's collective bargaining coverage rate of nearly 90%, and the pivotal role of collective agreements in ensuring workplace compliance. The functioning of the workplace safety representative system, psychosocial risks particularly affecting white-collar workers, and work-life balance initiatives were discussed. The meeting with Suntarbetsliv showcased joint preventive initiatives in the municipal sector, where practical tools and training materials are used to strengthen local compliance capacity. At the meeting with Svenskt Näringsliv, discussions focused on the employers' perspective on compliance, productivity and fair competition; the contribution of joint OSH initiatives developed by workers' and employers' organizations such as Prevent; and the mechanisms of participation in national-level policy processes.
Experiential learning in the Construction Safety Park
The visit to Byggbranschens Säkerhetspark (Construction Safety Park) offered hands-on experience with practical OSH scenarios, including work at heights, confined spaces, machine safety and accident simulations. The centre, financed by employer organisations, provided inspiration for the possible development of similar practical training centres or mobile units for high-risk sectors in Türkiye.
© ILO / Burcu Akça
Industrial peace and compliance
At the National Mediation Office (Medlingsinstitutet), the delegation learned about the management of the wage-setting process, mediation mechanisms, and their impact on workplace compliance. The agency's role in producing wage statistics and trend analyses to inform policy and negotiation strategies was also discussed.
Key outcomes
The visit highlighted Sweden's high collective bargaining and unionisation coverage, the active role of workers' and employers' organisations, and the significance of the workplace safety representative system. It underscored the importance of spreading a preventive safety culture and reinforcing multi-stakeholder compliance through social dialogue. The findings are expected to make a direct contribution to advancing workplace compliance in Türkiye under the WPC Project.
