- If the taxpayers are to pay in and pay for layoff support, then the shareholders have to wait for their dividend.

Leif Östling was Managing Director of Scania for almost 20 years. During the financial crisis, Scania distinguished itself by not laying off staff, but laying off most of the salary instead, completely without tax money. The time was spent on education, solving problems and equipping the company for the future. After the crisis, he saw that the layoffs were profitable. Today, he is positive about the government's crisis support that gives companies support to act as Scania did then. 

- If you use the support properly and make sure to educate people and retain competence, you will make a lot of money again later, and can pay a little higher dividend then.  

As SVT has previously stated, SKF has made 1.3 billion in share dividends and has now withdrawn the layoff application. Assa Abloy paid 2.2 billion to the owners, and has been granted their layoffs - but before the Growth Authority tightened the rules. Now the company risks being forced to repay. 

"The money makes the most benefit in the companies"

Leif Östling goes against his fellow colleagues who have claimed that it is profits from 2019, which can and should be paid now.  

- We are in a global crisis. We do not know how long we will keep it. Then I think the money makes the most benefit in the company. The more at checkout, the better.  

When Leif Östling was chairman of the Swedish business community, SVT revealed that he had tax plans through a Maltese company. That's when he became a national celebrity by saying in an interview that he still pays a lot of tax, and asking "what the hell am I getting for the money". 

The money to the parent company

Today he does not want to see tax money go to dividends. Scania made a profit of just over SEK 12 billion in 2019, and has announced a dividend of SEK 6.2 billion. Money ending up with the German parent company Traton. Which in turn can distribute money. 

The Growth Agency has not yet given clear information on the type of dividend - group contributions should be allowed if you are to receive the right to support. 

What do you think Swedish taxpayers get for the money?

- Yes, it is not good use of the tax money!