The region had a difficult time recruiting socio- nomists for a period and then bought staffing services. The Swedish Competition Authority believes that this direct procurement was unlawful and now wants the administrative court to sentence the region to SEK 530 00 in fines.

- When procurement is advertised in accordance with the rules so that more suppliers have the opportunity to submit tenders, the opportunities to make the best deal on the best terms increase, says the Swedish Competition Authority's Director General Rikard Jermsten, in a press release.

The region responds

Region Gotland announces on its site that despite intensive work on recruitment, they were forced to bring in consultants for shorter periods. Since October 1, 2018, they have been using a new system.

- In 2019, we have changed our way of hiring consultants and our ambition is that in 2020 we will not hire any consultants at all, says Christina Godarve.