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

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.