Country profile SWE
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2023 | C138 & C182 | Regulations on the working environment of minors (AFS 2023:2) - Appendix 2 | [{"link_name":"Regulations on the working environment of minors (AFS\u202f2023:2)","source_link":"https://www.av.se/arbetsmiljoarbete-och-inspektioner/publikationer/foreskrifter/afs-20232/?hl=AFS%202023:2#5kap-valdochhotomvalddagallerforeskrifterna"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Under AFS 2023:2, Appendix 2 explicitly enumerates work tasks that minors (under 18) are prohibited from performing unless strict safeguards are in place. These tasks include handling asbestos, diving, guard/security work, and transporting money or valuables. Employers must consult this list and ensure compliance, conducting risk assessments and securing qualified adult supervision where exceptions for 16–17-year-olds are made. The list is administered by the Swedish Work Environment Authority and reviewed regularly, aligning with the requirement to periodically update hazardous work determinations under C138 and C182. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1977 | C138 & C182 | Work Environment Act - Appendix 2 | [{"link_name":"Work Environment Act","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/86e9091526644e90b78d2ff937318530/sfs-19771160-work-environment-act/"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Sweden’s AFS 2023:2, issued under the Work Environment Act, explicitly prohibits minors (under 18) from performing hazardous tasks -such as handling asbestos, diving, security work, or transporting money/valuables- unless an adult supervisor (aged 18+) is present, a risk assessment has been conducted, and specific instructions given. These tasks are detailed in Appendix 2 of AFS 2023:2. Under conditions where safety and training are ensured, 16- to 17-year-olds may undertake certain tasks, but no minor under 18 can carry out hazardous work alone or without safeguards. Employers must comply strictly with these age-specific protections. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 1962 | C182 | Swedish Criminal Code | [{"link_name":"Swedish Criminal Code","source_link":"https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2023-09-11/sweden-law-criminalizing-recruitment-of-children-into-criminal-activity-enters-into-force/"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | As of 1 July 2023, Sweden amended its Criminal Code to explicitly criminalise the involvement of children under 18 in an offence or criminal activities, including the storage or distribution of narcotics. The provision makes it an independent offence to involve minors for the purpose of an offence or criminal activities. One of the first prosecutions under this law was in August 2023, when an adult was charged with involving minors in storing and facilitating drug trafficking. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 1962 ; 1998 | C182 | Swedish Criminal Code - Chapter 6, Sections 9 and 12 ; Chapter 16, Section 10a ; Sex Purchase Act (1999:408) | [{"link_name":"-Criminal Code","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/7a2dcae0787e465e9a2431554b5eab03/the-swedish-criminal-code.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Sex Purchase Act (1999:408)","source_link":"https://rkrattsbaser.gov.se/sfst?bet=1998:408"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | The Swedish Criminal Code (Brottsbalken) prohibits the use, procuring, and offering of persons under 18 for both prostitution and pornography. Chapter 6, Section 9 criminalizes the exploitation of a child through the purchase of a sexual act, irrespective of the minor’s consent. Chapter 6, Section 12 prohibits procuring. Chapter 16, Section 10a criminalises child pornography, including the production, possession, and distribution of visual material involving minors. Additionally, the Sex Purchase Act (1999:408) criminalises the purchase of sexual services, reinforcing the protection of children from commercial sexual exploitation. These provisions align national law with C182 requirements. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1994 | C182 | Total Defence Service - Chapter 1, Section 2 , Chapter 2, Section 2 | [{"link_name":"Total Defence Service","source_link":"https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-19941809-om-totalforsvarsplikt_sfs-1994-1809/#K2"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | According to Chapter 1, Section 2 of the Act on Total Defence Service, all Swedish citizens and residents aged from the calendar year they turn 16 until the calendar year they turn 70 are subject to total‑defence obligations. However, compulsory military or civilian service (värnplikt/civilplikt) applies only from age 18, as confirmed in Chapter 2, Section 2, which requires medical and suitability examinations starting at age 18. Minors under 18 cannot be enlisted for service, therefore Sweden prohibits forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 in line with C182. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 1962 | C182 | Swedish Criminal Code - Chapter 4, Section 1a | [{"link_name":"Swedish Criminal Code","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/7a2dcae0787e465e9a2431554b5eab03/the-swedish-criminal-code.pdf"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Chapter 4, Section 1a of the Swedish Criminal Code criminalizes trafficking in human beings, including children, for purposes such as sexual exploitation, forced labour, or the removal of organs. It explicitly includes trafficking of persons under 18 years of age, regardless of means used, and stipulates harsher penalties when children are involved. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1977 ; 2010 | C138 | Work Environment Act ; Upper secondary school regulations | [{"link_name":"-Work Environment Act","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/86e9091526644e90b78d2ff937318530/sfs-19771160-work-environment-act/"},{"link_name":"-Upper secondary school regulations","source_link":"https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/gymnasieforordning-20102039_sfs-2010-2039/"}] | 16 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | According to AFS 2023:1 (replacing AFS 2012:3) and the Swedish Work Environment Act, a minor may not be engaged for or perform work, as an employee or otherwise, before the calendar year in which the minor turns 16, or before completing compulsory education. This applies to all forms of employment and apprenticeship placements within formal education systems. The Upper secondary school regulations (Gymnasieförordningen) further regulates that workplace-based learning (APL) must follow national curricula and must be part of an approved education contract. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1977 | C138 | Work Environment Act | [{"link_name":"Work Environment Act","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/86e9091526644e90b78d2ff937318530/sfs-19771160-work-environment-act/"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | According to AFS 2023:2, a minor in Sweden may not be engaged in work before the calendar year in which they turn 16 or until they have completed compulsory schooling -whichever comes later. This effectively sets the minimum age for work at 16, while ensuring it is not below the age for completion of compulsory education, thereby complying with Convention No. 138. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2023 | C138 | Swedish Work Environment Authority Regulation AFS 2023:2 - Appendix 2 | [{"link_name":"Swedish Work Environment Authority Regulation AFS 2023:2","source_link":"https://www.av.se/arbetsmiljoarbete-och-inspektioner/publikationer/foreskrifter/afs-20232/"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Under AFS 2023:2, the Swedish Work Environment Authority explicitly defines permissible light work tasks and prohibits minors from engaging in hazardous tasks alone. Appendix 2 of the regulation lists specific prohibited tasks (e.g., work with asbestos, diving, guard duties, handling cash outside the workplace). The regulation also prescribes weekly and daily hour limits to ensure minors’ schooling is not disrupted, along with mandatory risk assessments, supervision by qualified adults, and prior protective measures. Employers must document the work tasks, working conditions, and oversight processes. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1977 | C138 | Work Environment Act - Chapter 5, Section 2 | [{"link_name":"Work Environment Act","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/86e9091526644e90b78d2ff937318530/sfs-19771160-work-environment-act/"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Under Chapter 5, Section 2 of the Work Environment Act, Sweden prohibits employment of minors before the calendar year in which they turn 16 and before the completion of compulsory schooling. However, it explicitly allows light work by minors aged 13 or over, provided the work is non-hazardous and does not affect their health, development, or education. The Act empowers the Swedish Work Environment Authority to regulate specific types of light work and conditions. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1977 | C138 | Work Environment Act - Chapter 5, Section 2 | [{"link_name":"Work Environment Act","source_link":"https://www.government.se/contentassets/86e9091526644e90b78d2ff937318530/sfs-19771160-work-environment-act/"}] | 16 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Chapter 5, Section 2 of the Work Environment Act clearly states that a child under 15 years of age or a child who is still subject to compulsory schooling may not be used to perform work. There are exceptions for cultural or similar work under specific supervision and conditions. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 23-APR-1990 | Source |
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 13-JUN-2001 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research did not provide evidence of any specific action plans or strategies specifically addressing child labour. | [{"link_name":"No information","source_link":"No information"}] | No information | No information | No information |