The investigation shows that just before Easter, SKR called four authorities for a meeting on the occasion of the so-called Serafen decision, where the Swedish Work Environment Authority stated that staff must have both visor and oral protection in all patient-related work.

SKR got the authorities to act in the form of two statements that clearly downplayed the significance of the decision - and they also had to be involved in the actual drafting of the texts.

"This is very serious and a huge scandal of the authorities," Municipal President Tobias Baudin told SVT.

He reacts very strongly, saying that the authorities have damaged the trust by going behind the back of the union and the safety representatives in the sensitive and fiery issue of protective equipment in the elderly care.

- I am extremely surprised that the authorities will run when the employer calls. It is extremely provocative.

At the same time, SKR is an interest organization, they have the right to take to whatever channels they want?

Municipal: - Yes, of course, and that is why it is a government scandal, that the authorities run after only the employers and do not think about inviting us.

Internal criticism - external pressure

At the same time, SVT's review shows that the Swedish Work Environment Authority's collaboration with the employer side has also attracted internal criticism within the authority. 

At the same time, the authority has been subjected to hard pressure to not only downplay the significance of the decision, but also to reverse the issue itself - thus the requirement that Serafen's staff must wear both visor and mouth protection in all patient-related work. (See fact box.)

The employer side has appealed the decision to the Administrative Court, and tomorrow the Swedish Work Environment Authority is expected to submit an opinion to the court.

Tobias Baudin is worried about what would happen if the authority chose to back down.

- There is a great risk of leaching the role and credibility of the authorities. This sounds like the authorities are running when SKR clicks their fingers. It is very serious.