Kristinehamn is facing an economic steel bath. SEK 90 million will be saved next year. And between two and three million people are thought to be able to save by withdrawing the healthcare allowance of SEK 1,300 per employee per year, something that New Kristinehamns-Posten was the first to tell. The proposal will be submitted to the municipal council on November 5.

- The idea is that we are taking a break right now because we have to save, says Kristinehamn municipal councilor Marie Oudin (M).

"More sick leave"

The proposal to save money by withdrawing the health care allowance has generated strong reactions and the critics believe it is counterproductive.

- The consequence is that people are getting more sick leave. This will strike back at the municipality and be an increased cost instead, says Eva Törnblom Pettersson at the Municipal.

See no other solutions

The municipal council is aware that there is criticism of the proposal but does not see that there are other ways to go at present.

- I understand their concerns. This is not an easy decision to make, but instead of reducing staff, we do this until we reduce operating costs, ”says Marie Oudin (M).

From a trade union point of view, however, it is feared that Kristinehamn Municipality is now paving the way for deterioration for its members elsewhere.

- We have to look at what we can do about this. There is a great risk that other municipalities see this as an opportunity to make savings on something that in the final round will not be any savings, ”says Municipal Eva Törnblom Pettersson, department chair of Municipal Western Svealand.