Dear member,
We, the Board of TechSverige, would like to thank you for 2023 while also taking the opportunity to look ahead.
The past year was, without doubt, an extremely eventful and challenging one – a year characterised by, among other things, war in our nearby area and a tough economic situation. At the same time, we are witness to continued strong technological development, with the tech sector and our industry’s solutions playing an increasingly important and influential role in society.
The Swedish tech industry’s turnover now amounts to more than SEK 1,000 billion per year, and the industry is experiencing greater growth than more or less all other major industries in Sweden. At the same time, the growth occurring in other countries is significantly stronger than the growth here in Sweden, which is why our joint efforts and activities are perhaps more important than ever. The simple truth is that it is only together with you – all our valuable members – that TechSverige can successfully and with great commitment work to achieve the best possible conditions for a world-leading tech industry in Sweden. This is why your choice to be a member of TechSverige is so important!
We look forward to 2024 with a sense of optimism and confidence – a year that will be exciting and important, not only for the further development of our industry, but also for TechSverige as an organisation. As you have previously been informed, in October last year the Board of TechSverige decided to terminate the association’s ownership and collaboration agreement with Almega. The decision is a direct consequence of the resolution adopted at the annual meeting in May 2023, whereby TechSverige’s member companies gave us, the Board, the task of either renegotiating the agreement with Almega or terminating it, with the aim of finding the solution that best benefits our members. After investigation and discussions, the Board concluded that the best way forward is an independent TechSverige. It is as an independent industry and employer organisation that TechSverige can best ensure both the quality and the effectiveness of our activities, while also standing stronger in our endeavours to meet the development and specific needs of the tech industry.
As an independent association within the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, we will strive to offer all our members:
High-quality and industry-specific employer service Membership will continue to include comprehensive information and free advice on employer issues through both digital and personal service.
Strengthened relations with trade union parties We will continue to work together with our trade union partners to promote good conditions for the industry and relevant collective agreements.
A clearer voice for the creation of better conditions TechSverige is a large and strong party within the framework of our collaboration within the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and is already an important and relevant influence in society. By being independent, we increase the clarity of our communication and can represent your interests more effectively in relation to public policy and employer policy issues.
Better opportunities to streamline operations An independent TechSverige gives us better control and the opportunity to use our membership fees in an optimal manner, which may eventually enable us to offer reduced fees.
TechSverige will become independent from 1 January 2025, and our agreement with Almega will run as usual during the current year. In 2024 we will focus on preparing and implementing our new organisation so that it is ready to stand on its own two feet from the beginning of 2025.
We will now build up and further develop TechSverige’s employer service to ensure that we can meet your needs in the best possible manner. In concrete terms, this means that you, as a member with a collective agreement, will continue to be offered free advice on employer issues, including the following services:
· Labour law advice on various staff-related issues, reorganisations, work environment issues and all other issues that may arise in your role as an employer.
· Support in connection with trade union negotiations.
· Legal assistance in relation to labour law disputes, both during negotiations with trade unions and in court.
· Expertise and guidance on issues relating to pension, insurance, salary, work environment and skills supply.
· Training courses, events and networks.
· Digital support and templates available around the clock (equivalent to today’s Employer’s Guide).
· Good regional presence to support small and large member companies throughout the country.
In 2024, Karolina Löf, TechSverige’s new chief legal officer, will play a key role when it comes to building up and ensuring the quality of this employer service. More new recruitments are in the pipeline, including the recruitment of skilled negotiators, experts and labour law lawyers. It is pleasing to note that there is interest among several of those who already provide the current employer service to our members to take the step over to our organisation.
As a member, both with or without a collective agreement, you benefit from TechSverige’s lobbying and advocacy activities. Membership of TechSverige provides you with the opportunity to influence decisions in areas where you, as an individual company, may otherwise find it difficult to make your voice heard. Together, we achieve better conditions for the tech industry and for our member companies through well-substantiated proposals, proactivity and a well-developed network of contacts with politicians and decision-makers. At the same time, through our leading expertise and responsiveness to your specific needs, we are able to quickly understand, evaluate and act on external factors and trends that may affect our industry to a large extent. During the year, we will, among other things, develop an employer policy agenda with the aim of influencing the design of legislation in the labour market area that is initiated nationally or by the EU.
We will keep you updated on the progress of the ongoing work, and to make things easier for you as a member, we have created a dedicated page on www.techsverige.se where you can find all relevant information about the decision and the steps we are now taking to ensure that we can provide the best possible member service. However, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or feedback – either directly to us on the Board, or to one of TechSverige’s staff members.
We, the Board of TechSverige, together with all members of staff within our organisation, look forward to continuing the work towards an independent TechSverige that can best meet the needs of our member companies and support you in the continued exciting development of the tech industry!
Yours sincerely,
The Board of TechSverige
