36 Workers Found Without Permits in Swedish Raid
Swedish police found 36 workers without proper permits during an inspection near Lysekil. Multiple companies now face investigations for human exploitation and immigration law violations. The case reveals ongoing challenges with undocumented labor in Sweden's industrial sector.
Police discovered 36 workers without valid permits during an inspection last week. The workers labored at industrial facilities north of Lysekil in western Sweden. Authorities now investigate several companies for suspected human exploitation and violations of immigration law.
Mattias Eklöf, border police section chief, said this problem recurs frequently. "Multiple layers of subcontractors mean companies lose track of their workforce origins and permit status," he explained in a police statement.
Hiring such companies creates obvious security risks, Eklöf noted. It also carries high risks of worker exploitation, he added.
Lysekil sits on Sweden's west coast, about 120 kilometers north of Gothenburg. The area hosts substantial industrial activity, including refineries and manufacturing plants.
This case highlights Sweden's ongoing struggle with undocumented labor. The country maintains strict work permit requirements for non-EU citizens, but enforcement challenges persist across industries that rely on temporary workers.
What drives companies to hire undocumented workers? Cost pressures and complex subcontracting chains often create conditions where oversight fails and exploitation thrives.