At Svensk DirektReklam, distributors are paid 0.95 SEK per household for regular delivery weeks though the rate should be SEK 2 Kr per household and is mentioned in their own website but violated at work level. However, during “Nej tack” weeks — when all households in every district must be covered — workloads triple. This means more man-hours, heavier paper bundles, and significantly longer routes. Despite the increased time, weight, and effort, distributors receive no additional pay for this extra work.
When workers protested the unpaid workload and pointed out potential violations of Sweden’s work-hour laws, management ordered them to complete the same volume in 25 hours — an impossible demand.
Those who refused or threatened legal action were told the company was facing “losses,” had their pay cut, and were given 3-month termination notices. Many were replaced by newly hired Sri Lankan students at even lower wages.
This cycle of exploiting vulnerable foreign workers, punishing dissent, and replacing them with cheaper labor has persisted for years — without oversight or accountability.
