In 2015, Mohammad Zare was one of the 35,000 unaccompanied children who sought asylum in Sweden. After having had his asylum application rejected, he was granted a temporary residence permit through the so-called new upper secondary school law.

- When the law went through, I felt relieved. But when I saw the rules, I thought this would be difficult, he says.

The law meant that 7,500 young people who were denied asylum and had reached the age of 18 while waiting for a decision were given the opportunity to finish high school. It also meant an opportunity for a permanent residence permit in Sweden if after the studies you find a job that runs for at least two years and where salary and conditions are in line with collective agreements and industry standards.

Tough labor market has given rise to new debate

Mohammad Zare has found a permanent job but is still worried that it is not enough.

- The salary must not be lower than industry standards and it differs a couple of thousand.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, youth unemployment has risen to thirteen percent. The law was debated when it was hammered through by the red-green government with the support of the Left Party and the Center Party and was met with harsh criticism from, among others, the Law Council.

The Moderates, the Sweden Democrats, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats were against the proposal. The tough labor market has now sparked a new debate on the conditions for those covered by the law. The Center Party, the Left and the Green Party want to see eased conditions. But the Social Democrats, who are the leading governing party, say no.

- What's going to happen to us? There are a lot of people who do not have a job right now. I have this, but it is still not enough, says Mohammad Zare.