- We have seen sham jobs, we have seen that users with care needs from abroad are associated with them and we have seen the utilization of labor, says Erik Holmgren, head of the Swedish Migration Agency's work permit unit.

The Swedish Migration Agency describes it as a growing problem.

Therefore, a special code for "frivolous employer or sham employment" was introduced in early 2020.

During the review, SVT reviewed rejection decisions linked to the assistance industry, which were made with reference to the new code, a total of 40 decisions.

Three examples of rejections

• The Swedish Migration Agency considered that the person lacked knowledge about the employment.

“You can not specify which company you will work for.

You do not know how many hours you will work /… / You have also never had contact with your intended employer ”.

Interview had only been held with the person's brother.

The Swedish Migration Agency considered it a sham employment.

• The requirement for the advertised position was knowledge of sign language.

Despite this, two people, who did not know sign language, were offered a job of 50 percent each at the company.

The employer then tried to withdraw the sign language requirement, but the Swedish Migration Board considered that it was an ex post construction.

The purpose was considered to be to circumvent the rules on entry and stay in Sweden.

• The person applied for a work permit as a personal assistant several times at the same assistance company, but with different information about date of birth.

In combination with other similar cases at the company, the Swedish Migration Agency assesses that this is a sham employment.

"A high rejection rate"

The number of work permit applications is significantly less than in, for example, the IT and restaurant industry, but the assistance still stands out, according to Erik Holmgren.

Last year, the Swedish Migration Agency made a decision regarding 292 new permit applications in the assistance area, 60 percent of which were rejected.

- It is a high rejection rate compared to other industries.

Unfortunately, when there is a lot of money to be made, it can attract unscrupulous players.

The consequences can be serious, it is an industry where it is about state funds that should go to people with great needs, says Erik Holmgren.