Siemens and Sweden

This week, we look at media commentary on a major jobs agreement at Siemens, and at the rise of an anti-immigrant party in Sweden.

Safe at Siemens

Although a recent jobs agreement originally caused Siemens’ share prices to fall, the Financial Times says it could turn out to be an intelligent move — if the company works with its employees to lower costs.

It sounds like an agreement to gladden the hearts of workers anywhere: Siemens has struck a deal that includes an indefinite promise to avoid forced job cuts among its German employees. … [Siemens CEO Peter] Löscher should use the jobs deal to pursue corporate efficiency. In the longer term, failure to do so produces worse outcomes for companies, investors and employees alike.

Even Sweden

The rise of an anti-immigrant party in Sweden is worrying, especially since it seems to target Muslims, writes The New York Times. Swedes are right to be concerned about integration, but immigration is necessary for economic growth, the newspaper's editorial writers say.

Sweden’s reputation for fairness and tolerance took a nasty hit … after a xenophobic anti-immigrant party that misleadingly calls itself the Sweden Democrats won 20 seats in the 349-seat Parliament. … Immigrant dynamism is essential to keeping all of Europe competitive. Sweden’s mainstream politicians are still battling over old questions of welfare versus markets, while largely ignoring newer ones like globalization, immigration and social integration. They can’t afford to ignore them any longer.