PSI Swedish affiliates rally against controversial migration reporting act
Oct 28, 2024
Swedish public service workers took to the streets of Stockholm on 23 October to protest a proposed act that would force them to report undocumented migrants to legal authorities. Nurses, carers, teachers, and academics united under a common message: "We are not border police!"
The controversial proposal stems from the Tidö Agreement, a cooperation pact formed in 2022 between conservative and far-right political parties in Sweden. This agreement aims to limit the rights of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants, including their access to public services such as healthcare and social care.
Under the proposed measure, public service workers at national, municipal, and local levels would be obligated to report undocumented migrants to the police and the Swedish Migration Agency upon contact. This policy has faced strong opposition from PSI Swedish affiliates, other trade unions, and civil society allies.
Critics argue that the policy violates human rights, international law obligations, and the ethical codes of health and social care professionals. Concerns have been raised about its potential negative impacts on public health, human security, and social cohesion.
PSI and EPSU stand firm in their commitment to uphold the human rights and dignity of all migrants, regardless of their status. We continue to advocate for access to quality public services for everyone.
