Work

Framing the right to work: negotiating social inclusion in welfare projects targeting poor EU citizens in Sweden

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this article, we examine how the situation for contemporary poor EU migrants is framed by social work professionals involved in initiatives funded by the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived in Sweden. Through 16 semi-structured interviews with these professionals, the research questions guiding the analysis concern how they describe and frame the needs of poor EU citizens living in precarious conditions, emphasizing work as a social right as well as how they navigate the EU policy guiding their work. The analysis is informed by frame analysis as analytical approach, with a focus on identifying diagnostic and prognostic framing. The findings presented highlight the professionals’ strategies in stretching EU policy frameworks to support the category of poor EU citizens in Sweden. The results point to how professionals make use of their discretion to meet the livelihood needs of poor people by claiming their right to work.

Source: Nordic Social Work Research

DOI: 10.1080/2156857x.2025.2610011

Authors: Viktor Vesterberg, Magnus Dahlstedt

Institution: Linköping University

Language: English

Topic: Social Sciences and Policies

Subfield: General Social Sciences

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, No poverty, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd