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The forest is called green gold. But this year’s growth in that gold is now threatened by the effects of the corona virus. The reason is that foreign forest workers cannot come to Sweden to plant. During the year, the forestry industry plans to release 300 to 400 million forest plants, a job that would have been in full swing but is now stopping in several directions.
– Plants can only do this season. They have been winter since last fall and have thawed in the spring and now they have to go out on the hill. Otherwise, it will be a lost year, says Fredrik Klang, forest manager at Sveaskog.
How much money is it?
– These are billions of plants, not to mention the value of forests that are not beginning to grow.
In the GS forest and timber industry union, he is also concerned about the situation.
– Forest management is urgent with felling and planting, because there is a climatic condition for this to occur. It is the season that is beginning now that it is urgent, says Per-Olof Sjöö.
Exactly how many services is involved depends on who you ask. According to GS, there are around 5,000 people per year. Sveaskog says there are no more than 2,000-3,000 people, while the Green Employers trade organization talks about up to 1,000 vacancies in northern Svealand and the country.
“You need exemptions from the police”
Many of the foreign forest workers come from the eastern EU countries, but many also come from Ukraine and Thailand. Forest companies want an exception to the entry ban so they can travel to Sweden and work despite the crown.
– We need a border police exemption for those with work permits, like Finland and agriculture, says Fredrik Klang.
But from the union point of view, you do not agree, since it means that forestry companies have not been looking for enough labor in the country.
– When we move towards an unemployment rate approaching ten percent, it is irresponsible not to try to recruit among those who are actually unemployed in this country. I think it is a great responsibility for forest companies to make this a reality now, “says Per-Olof Sjöö.
The Minister of Labor appears to be in a similar situation.
– There will probably be fewer people coming from other countries and working with this type of seasonal work, but it also creates opportunities for many young people and people who have lost their jobs to apply for green industries, says Eva Nordmark. (S) to SVT.
But in Sveaskog, it is ruled out that this year’s plantation can be solved only with domestic staff.
– Not in such a short time. This is a business that has been planned for several years, says Fredrik Klang in Sveaskog.
