# Sweden Rusta och matcha reform controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sweden-rusta-och-matcha-reform-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-17T04:55:57.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Sweden’s ‘Rusta och matcha’ labor market reform, a privatization initiative introduced in 2019, has come under intense scrutiny due to reports of inefficiency and ethical misconduct.

Research from the Institute for Employment Market and Labor Market Policy Evaluation (IFAU) indicates that the program is significantly less efficient than alternative methods, with private sector support costing up to 70 percent more. Findings suggest that participants are less likely to secure employment or enter education compared to control groups. While the program has been financially lucrative for private owners—who have collected approximately 394 million SEK in dividends—critics argue it prioritizes corporate profits over job placement.

Investigations by SVT have uncovered systemic issues, including instances where private providers allegedly facilitated fraud, engaged in undeclared work, or ignored mandatory regulations. Some providers were also accused of reinforcing gender roles and honor-based oppression. In response to these findings, Arbetsförmedlingen has increased oversight and terminated hundreds of contracts with unreliable actors. Consequently, the Liberal Party has announced plans to scrap the reform, with Labor Minister Johan Britz characterizing it as an expensive initiative that prioritizes market opportunities over those in need of societal support.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: Sweden’s Rusta och matcha program criticized for inefficiency and profit-seeking

Sweden’s ‘Rusta och matcha’ program faces criticism as research shows it increases state costs without improving employment, while investigations reveal private firms profiting from systemic rule-breaking.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swedens-rusta-och-matcha-program-criticized-for-inefficiency-and-profit-seeking

### 2026-09-02: Sweden's Liberal Party moves to scrap Rusta och matcha reform

The Liberal Party aims to abolish the ‘Rusta och matcha’ reform following reports of inefficiency, high costs, and ethical misconduct by private providers in Sweden's labor market.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swedens-liberal-party-moves-to-scrap-rusta-och-matcha-reform

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Cite as: Sweden Rusta och matcha reform controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sweden-rusta-och-matcha-reform-controversy