lönegolvet

Lönegolvet, or the wage floor, refers to the lowest level of wages in a labor market. It can arise from legal minimums, but more commonly it is established through collective bargaining or industry norms. As a floor, it helps define the minimum acceptable compensation for work and influences income distribution, poverty risk, and overall wage dynamics.

The wage floor is set by different mechanisms depending on the country and sector. In many economies, collective agreements between unions and employer organizations determine sector- or company-wide minimum wages. In others, governments enact statutory minimum wages that set a national floor. In sectors without explicit minima, the floor may be formed by market conditions, job classification, and bargaining within firms. The concept also covers implied floors created by norms and wage scales that reflect skills and experience.

Debates around the wage floor center on its effects on employment, competitiveness, and living standards. A higher floor can reduce poverty and raise consumer purchasing power, but may raise labor costs, potentially affecting hiring or prices. Critics argue that floors above market-clearing levels can increase unemployment for low-skilled workers, while proponents emphasize living wages and reduced income inequality. Measurement varies, ranging from statutory minima to sectoral floors and the effective outcome of collective bargaining.

In Sweden, there is no universal statutory minimum wage. Wages are largely set through collective bargaining agreements that cover many workers, resulting in a wage floor that varies by sector and employer. Policy discussions occasionally address the role of an explicit minimum wage or sector-specific reforms to address living standards.