The abscence of labour in sustainable transitions: Migrant workers and the just transitions in the Swedish forestry sector

Irma Olofsson

Forest Policy and Economics, 2025, vol. 178, issue C

Abstract: The topic of sustainability is continually current and in Sweden, the bioeconomy and more specifically forestry, are pointed to as a central part of the sustainable transition. Swedish forestry is, to a large extent, done by seasonal labour migrants who are a group of workers that are often highly exploited. Decent work, equality and social aspects of sustainability are all part of the UN and EU's work on sustainability, and by continuation, Sweden's as well. By using the concepts of ‘just-transition’ and decent work, with interview data and policy analysis, this article examines workers', and especially migrant workers' place in the sustainable transition efforts in Sweden. The article finds that migrant workers in forestry have a difficult time exercising the rights they are entitled to, but also that they are practically invisible when it comes to how forestry in Sweden is portrayed, especially in a sustainability context.

Keywords: Sustainable transition; Migrant work; Just transition; Forestry; Swedish sustainable transition; Labour geogrpahies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:forpol:v:178:y:2025:i:c:s1389934125001480

DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2025.103569

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