Ugandans' gay wedding 'first' highlights Sweden asylum lottery

A couple who claim to be the first Ugandan men to be legally married face an uncertain future after recently tying the knot in a Swedish church, with one facing possible deportation that the other fears could result in his husband's death.

Last weekend, Lawrence Kaala and Jimmy Sserwadda were all smiles as they exchanged vows in a crowded church in the north Stockholm suburb of Järfälla.

"It feels great," Sserwadda tells The Local after the wedding, which was attended by more than one hundred guests – including Sweden's EU Minister Birgitta Ohlsson.

"We had been separated in such a hostile environment; we didn't know if we'd ever see each other again."

The ceremony was supposed to be a fairy-tale ending to an improbable story for the two men who found themselves reunited in Sweden years after their relationship had been cut short due to persecution in their native Uganda.

"Uganda is about the worst place in the world to live as someone who is openly gay," Sserwadda explains.

But while Sserwadda's asylum application has been approved, Kaala learned just days before the ceremony that his application had been denied, meaning he will have to leave Sweden in two weeks if he doesn't file an appeal.

"If they put him on a plane to Uganda now, they will be sentencing him to death," says Sserwadda.

The two men had been in a long-term relationship in Uganda until one day in 2008 when Sserwadda suddenly fled the country shortly after being arrested and beaten for "promoting homosexuality".

"I didn't tell Lawrence. I know he would have insisted on coming with and that would have put our lives at risk. So I left him behind," he recalls.

Sserwadda ended up in Sweden and was granted asylum on account of the risks he faced as a gay man if he were to return to Uganda. He became active in the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (Riksförbundet för homosexuellas, bisexuellas och transpersoners rättigheter –RFSL), helping other LBGT asylum seekers with their cases.

In the summer of 2011, Sserwadda's story was featured in Kom Ut, a magazine published by RFSL, as part of a piece which compared LBGT asylum cases to a lottery due to inconsistencies and a lack of knowledge on the part of officials at the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket).

Unbeknownst to Sserwadda, a copy of the magazine landed in the hands of Kaala, who had also fled the increasingly threatening atmosphere in Uganda.

Through chance, Kaala also ended up in Sweden and was dumbfounded to see his former lover's picture plastered on a magazine cover three years after Sserwadda fled.

Kaala phoned Sserwadda who was equally surprised to hear from the man he assumed he'd never see again.

"I was shocked. I thought it was a joke," Sserwadda recalls.

"When we finally met in person, Lawrence said, 'Yes, darling it's me!' As we hugged he then asked me why I had left."

Sserwadda explained why he kept his plans to flee Uganda a secret and was soon forgiven for leaving his lover in the lurch. The two rekindled their former relationship, and began talking about having a wedding.

"If we could have gotten married in Uganda if we would have and when we found each other again here in Sweden it felt natural to go ahead with it," he says.

Despite learning that Kaala's asylum application had been rejected just days before the two were to walk down the aisle, they refused to allow the setback to dampen their spirits.

"We decided to focus on the wedding and worry about the possible deportation later," Sserwadda explains.

He adds he's frustrated that despite both he and Kaala being gay men from Uganda, where same-sex relationships are illegal and could be punishable by death under a proposed bill currently up for debate, their asylum cases have been treated differently by migration authorities in Sweden.

"They don't believe his story," he explains, despite Kaala having scars on his body that both claim came as a result of beatings suffered by Kaala because he is a homosexual.

According to RFSL chairwoman Ulrika Westerlund, the Migration Board has a long way to go in how it handles asylum applications from people claiming persecution on account of their sexual preferences.

"They haven't succeeded in ensuring that everyone who works on asylum cases involving LGBT applicants has the right knowledge and competence," she tells The Local.

While no official statistics exist on LGBT asylum cases in Sweden, RFSL provides assistance in around 60 to 70 cases a year, which the Migration Board estimates represents roughly one-third of the total, according to Westerlund.

"A lot of the rejections are strange. It's as if they have no concept of what LGBT asylum seekers face back home," she says, explaining that the success or failure of LGBT asylum cases often depends on the case worker assigned to review the application.

Officials at the migration agency claim they are playing close attention to the situation in Uganda and that the agency continues to work on a strategy for increasing workers' competence on gender and LGBT issues.

Westerlund adds that the wedding of Sserwadda and Kaala constitutes "new circumstances" which will be grounds for a planned appeal of the deportation order.

"News of the wedding has spread around the world, including to Uganda so it's much more dangerous there now," she explains.

While Kaala could now re-file his application to receive a Swedish residence permit on the basis of being married to Sserwadda, who is due to receive Swedish citizenship later this year, doing so would require to return to Uganda to file the required paperwork.

"He can't go back there. He'd be arrested immediately," says Sserwadda.

The couple now has until February 11th to file an appeal with the Migration Board.

"We haven't had time for a honeymoon. We've been working around the clock since the wedding to get things in order," he adds.

David Landes

(news@thelocal.se)

Mwenyekiti mpya Chadema kupatikana Desemba 13

Mkurugenzi wa Habari na Uenezi wa Chadema, John Mnyika akizungumza na waandishi wa habari kwenye makao makuu ya chama hicho Dar es Salaam jana. Kulia ni Ofisa Habari wa Chadema, Tumaini Makene. Picha na Joseph Zablon. 

CHAMA cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), kimetangaza ratiba ya uchaguzi wake wa ndani, inayoonyesha kuwa kitapata mwenyekiti mpya ifikapo Desemba 13, mwaka huu.

Ratiba iliyotolewa na chama hicho Dar es Salaam jana imeeleza kuwa uchaguzi huo wa mwenyekiti, utatanguliwa na chaguzi nyingine za ngazi za majimbo, mkoa, wilaya, kata na tawi.

“Uchaguzi utaanza Aprili, mwaka huu na tunatarajia umalizike Desemba mwaka huu kwa kumchagua mwenyekiti taifa,” alisema Mkurugenzi wa Habari na Uenezi, John Mnyika.

Alisema kuanzia Aprili hadi Septemba kutafanyika chaguzi katika ngazi za msingi ambazo zinajumuisha matawi, majimbo na wilaya kabla uchaguzi huo haujafanyika katika ngazi ya mkoa kuanzia Novemba.

“Uchaguzi ngazi ya taifa utahusisha pia jumuiya za chama ambazo ni Baraza la Wanawake Chadema (Bawacha), Baraza la Vijana (Bavicha), Wazee, Kamati Kuu na Baraza Kuu Taifa,” alisema.

Nafasi nyingine zitakazoshindaniwa ni za wajumbe wa mkutano mkuu wa taifa.

mwananchi

waziri wetu wa fedha huyu sverige

smart clean na kihereni cha kufa mtu.

                                       bila kusahau nyuma ana kiduku cha hatari

huyu ni waziri wa fedha hapa sweden,na hiyo ni appearance yake tu.kwa hapa ni kitu cha kawaida ingawa kwa bongo nyumbani huko tayari angemwagiwa laana na wazazi zamani sana.mkubwa huyu ni mtu na familia yake iliyosimama kiuchumi na kifamilia na anaheshimika sana tu.ok siungi mkono u-cameroon.lakini sometime mtu akivaa vitu kama hivyo usimjudge.tumekuwa hodari sana kwa kunyooshea watu vidole kwa mavazi.

kuvaa earring si dhambi,cheni si dhambi.wala kujiweka sop sop sio kwamba ndio umekuwa punga.mtu akiona uko soft smart kijana wa kiume basi tayari atakuita we mchicha mwiba.aliekwambia u-smart ni ushoga nani??enzi za kunuka jasho kama beberu ndio ujulikane we kidume zimepitwa na wakati.tena hao wanaopenda kunuka kama lamb  ndio hodari kweli kwa kugawa visoda siku hizi.

dawa ni moja tu,kudhihirisha we si mchicha unampiga milleage kibao wife  au GF wa mtu aliye hodari ku-mention ili akisikia ajue kama kumbe kidume kinapanda milima ya kitonga na saranda kama kinateremka vile.

siku hizi wale jamaa zetu wanaopumuliwa kisogoniwala hawavai hereni tena,maana washakutana na masharobaro wapinzani na wanawavalia hereni mbilimbili tena mpaka kwenye pua.sasa we kama unangoja umuone mtu na hereni ndio unyooshe kidole utakonda sana

kama unataka kujua mapunga wa ukweli wako wapi nenda njenje pale,au nenda magomeni pale traventine na lango la jiji jumatatu usiku uone mambo.utasema hauko duniani.

ni hayo tu kwa leo  

LULU AKIWA URAIANI BAADA YA KUACHIWA LEO HII

 Lulu na mama yake mzazi wakilia baada ya kukutana nje ya Mahakama, Lulu amechiwa huru na Mahakama leo january 29 2013 mchana, pembeni ni mwigizaji Dr. Cheni ambae amekua karibu na familia ya Lulu kwa muda mrefu sana.

 Lulu akitokwa na machozi ya furaha

Lulu akiingia kwenye gari

---

Baada ya jana kushindikana kwa sababu zisizo zuilika hatimaye msanii maarufu Elizbeth 'Lulu' Michael ametoka kwa dhamana baada ya kutimiza masharti yote ya dhamana yake yaliyo tolewa na mahakama kuu.

Mara baada yakutoka Lulu alieyeonekana akiwa mwenye majonizi na furaha kiasi aliomba watanzania wote wamuombee maana hii ni dhamana tu na kesi yake bado inaendela. Ali washukuru watu wote waliokuwa pamoja nae katika mkasa huuu  amabao bado unamzunguka na pia alimshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa kuwa pamoja nae katika kipindi chote cha matatizo yanayo mkablia.

Wakili wake Ndugu Flugence Massawe amesema kwamba hii ni hatua ya kwanza kwasababu case bado inaendelea. Kwa sasa wanasubiri mahakama itoe tarehe ya Lulu kurudi mahakamani.

BY-KIFBLOG

maiti ya mtoto yageuka jogoo huko mwananyamala

BADO tupo mwanzoni mwa mwaka lakini tukio la maiti ya kichanga kugeuka jogoo ndani ya chumba cha kuhifadhia maiti kwenye Hospitali ya Mwananyamala, jijini Dar es Salaam linaweza kuongoza mengine yote ya ajabu yanayoweza kujiri ndani ya 2013. 

Mwananyama ni hospitali yenye hadhi ya mkoa kitabibu, ina rekodi za kuwa na matukio ya ajabu, ila hili siyo tu kwamba linaingia miongoni mwa hayo bali pia linaweza kutia fora.
Asubuhi ya Jumatano iliyopita, ilikuwa kizaazaa pale jokofu lililotumika kuhifadhi maiti ya kichanga cha mtoto, kukutwa kuna jogoo.

Mshangao zaidi ni kwamba ndani ya lile jokofu, pembeni ya yule jogoo, kulikuwa na hirizi pamoja na tunguri.

Habari kutoka vyanzo vyetu, zimewekwa wazi kuwa Jumanne iliyopita, saa 7 mchana, polisi walipigiwa simu, wakataarifiwa kuhusu maiti ya mtoto iliyokuwa imetelekezwa eneo la Kigogo, Mbuyuni, Dar es Salaam.

Vyanzo vyetu vimebainisha kuwa polisi baada ya kupata taarifa hizo walifika eneo la tukio na kukuta maiti hiyo ya kichanga ikiwa imefunikwa kwa kuzungushiwa sanda.

Kwa mujibu wa Moses Madilu, mkazi wa Kigogo, aliyedai kushuhudia tukio hilo, polisi walipofika eneo la tukio waliikagua maiti hiyo na kubaini kwamba ni ya kike.

Chanzo chetu kikaeleza kuwa baadhi ya mashuhuda, hususan wanawake, walitokwa na machozi kwa masikitiko kwamba itakuwa mtu alijifungua halafu akakinyonga kichanga hicho kabla ya kukitelekeza eneo hilo.

“Baada ya kujiridhisha kwa kazi yao, polisi waliichukua maiti hiyo ya kichanga, wakaipakia kwenye ‘difenda’, wakaipeleka Hospitali ya Mwananyamala,” kilieleza chanzo chetu.

HOSPITALI YA MWANANYAMALA
Ndani ya hospitali hiyo, mwandishi wetu alielezwa kuwa polisi walipofika, walishusha maiti hiyo na kumkabidhi mganga wa zamu aliyejulikana kwa jina moja la Dk. Liwa.

 “Dk. Liwa aliwaambia wale polisi wapeleke maiti hiyo mochwari.
“Polisi walifanya hivyo lakini kule mochwari walimkuta msimamizi mkuu, Omar Buyoya aliyekataa kuipokea kwa vile daktari hakuthibitisha kama kile kichanga kilikufa au kilikuwa hai.

“Polisi na Buyoya walivutana kwa muda mrefu, alitokea mhudumu mwingine wa mochwari aliyekuwa akijuana na polisi mmoja aliyebeba ile maiti, alikubali kuupokea mwili huo na kuingiza ndani kwenye jokofu la kuhifadhia maiti.”

Muuguzi huyo aliendelea kusema kuwa siku iliyofuata, Dk. Liwa alifika mochwari na alipofungua jokofu na kufunua sanda, badala ya kukuta maiti ya kichanga, alikuta jogoo, tunguri na hirizi.

“Dk.Liwa alipatwa  na mshangao mkubwa huku jasho likimtoka kutokana na uoga, aliwaita wafanyakazi ambao walijazana hapo  mochwari kushuhudia.

“Baadhi ya wafanyakazi walipigwa na butwaa huku wengine wakicheka hadi kudondoka chini na wakawa wanajiuliza kama kweli polisi wanaweza kupeleka jogoo hospitali au ni mambo ya kishirikina,” alisema muuguzi huyo.

Dk. Liwa na wafanyakazi wenzake waliondoka mochwari na kuacha hilo jogoo katika chumba cha maiti huku wakishindwa la kufanya.

KAULI YA MGANGA MKUU.....
Uwazi  ilimtafuta Mganga Mkuu wa Hospitali ya Mwananyamala, Dk. Sophinias Ngonyani ambaye alikiri  kuonekana kwa jogoo badala ya maiti ya kichanga.

“Polisi walituletea kifurushi wakiamini kuwa ni maiti ya kitoto kichanga ambapo tulikipokea lakini ilipotazamwa na daktari, tulikuta jogoo, hirizi na tunguri, tuliamua kumchoma moto kwa sababu kile ni chumba cha kuhifadhi maiti siyo cha kuhifadhia mizoga ya kuku, ng’ombe au mbwa,” alisema Dk. Ngonyani.

KAULI YA POLISI ...
Naye Kamanda wa Mkoa wa Kipolisi wa Kinondoni, ACP Charles Kenyela alipoulizwa juu ya sakata hilo alisema kwamba wao kama jeshi la polisi walipigiwa simu na raia mwema kuwa  kuna maiti ya kichanga ambapo askari waliondoka hadi eneo la tukio na kuichukua mpaka Hospitali ya Mwananyamala.

“Polisi waliichukua hadi Hospitali ya Mwananyamala kwa wataalamu na baada ya kuikabidhi waliondoka na kuendelea na shughuli nyingine, nami nashangaa kusikia kwamba madaktari walikuta  jogoo,” alisema Kenyela.

MASWALI MATANO
Je, ni kweli polisi waliikagua maiti na kugundua ni kichanga cha kike?

Kama ndiyo, ilikuwaje kikageuka jogoo?

Kwa nini daktari hakuipima ile maiti, badala yake akaelekeza ipelekwe mochwari?

Je, au polisi walibeba mzoga wa jogoo, wakampakia kwenye difenda wakidhani ni maiti ya kichanga?

Mkweli nani, polisi wanaodai kupeleka maiti ya kichanga, au hospitali wanaosema walipelekewa mzoga wa kuku, tunguri na hirizi?
Na Mpekuzi

LULU KAACHIWA KWA DHAMANA

Elizabeth Michael ‘Lulu’ akisubiri dhamana mahakamani leo.

MSANII maarufu wa filamu za Kibongo, Elizabeth Michael ‘Lulu’ amepata dhamana leo baada ya kukidhi masharti aliyowekewa na mahakama.

Dhamana hiyo imetolewa katika Mahakama Kuu Kanda ya Dar es Salaam baada ya hoja za mawakili wanaomtetea kukubalika.

Masharti aliyokuwa amepewa ni pamoja na wadhamini wawili wafanyakazi wa serikali wenye kiasi cha Sh. milioni 20 kila mmoja na kuwasilisha pasi ya kusafiri ya msanii ili kutotoka nje ya nchi hadi kesi hiyo itakapokamilika.

Huku mashabiki wake na baadhi ya wasnii wenzake wakiwa na furaha mahakamani hapo, kila mmoja alisikika akisema Mungu mkubwa.

Sweden receives sham marriage combat manual

Sweden's Ministry of Justice has received a draft EU document on how to tackle "marriages of convenience" as part of a union-wide effort to clamp down on liaisons entered into solely for residency rights.

The draft handbook from the European Commission defines the term as "marriage contracted for the sole purpose of enjoying the right of free movement and residence under EU law on free movement of EU citizens that one spouse would not have otherwise."

The handbook contains a list of would-be warning signs, including a potentially precarious financial situation for the EU citizen who is entering into marriage, whether or not the wedding attracts many friends and family, and if the two parties come from very different cultural backgrounds. 

The draft was quick to underline that EU member states should not probe all marriages that entail residency rights 

"It must be highlighted that a marriage cannot be considered as a marriage of convenience simply because it brings an immigration advantage," the draft authors wrote.

"Or indeed any other advantage (for example the right to a particular surname, location-related allowances, tax advantages or entitlement to social housing for married couples)."

The report urges EU member states to introduce and enforce tough legislation to deal with sham marriages.

The manual is solely a draft, the EU Commission underscored when sending it to public servants in Sweden and other member states.

TT/The Local/at

MAUAJI MTWARA

WATU wanane wameuawa na wengine kumi na moja kujeruhiwa kutokana na vurugu zilizizotokea jana mkoani Mtwara na Itete wilayani Ulanga, mkoani Mororgoro.

Muuguzi wa zamu katika Hospitali ya Wilaya ya Masasi, Mkomaindo, Amima Simbo alithibitisha vifo vya watu saba waliofikishwa hospitalini hapo.

Kwa mujibu wa muuguzi huyo, maiti zilizopokelewa hospitalini hapo zilionekana zikiwa na matundu yanayodhaniwa kuwa ni ya risasi, baadhi yao kichwani, begani, viunoni na tumboni.
Aidha majeruhi waliofikishwa hospitalini hapo pia walikuwa na majeraha mbalimbali ikiwamo ya risari.

Habari zaidi zinaeleza kuwa vurugu hizo zilizuka baada ya kundi la waandamaji, wengi wakiwa vijana waendesha pikipiki maarufu kama bodaboda waliokuwa wakipinga mwenzao kukamatwa na kutaka kuvamia Kituo cha Polisi ili kumwokoa.

Vurugu hizo ziliendelea kuutikisa Mkoa wa Mtwara kwa siku ya pili mfululizo na kuutikisa Mkoa wa Mtwara, baada ya vurugu nyingine kuibuka wilayani Masasi jana.

Habari zinasema mbali na vifo na majeruhi, nyumba za wabunge wawili wa wilaya hiyo zimechomwa moto, ambapo pia magari, trekta, Ofisi za CCM Wilaya na Ofisi ya Mkurugenzi wa Wilaya ziliharibiwa kwa kuchomwa moto.

Wabunge ambao nyumba zao zimemwa moto ni Mariam Kasembe wa Masasi Mjini na Anna Abdallah Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu wilayani humo.

Juzi vurugu hizo zilitokea katika Mikoa ya Morogoro kati ya wakulima na wafugaji na kusababisha kifo cha mtu mmoja wakati mkoani Mtwara wananchi  wa eneo la Chikongola waliizingira nyumba ya diwani wa Kata ya Mikindani, Mohamedi Chehako kwa madai ya kuwahifadhi wachawi ndani ya nyumba yake.

Katika vurugu hizo polisi walilazimika kutumia silaha yakiwamo mabomu ya machozi ili kupoza hali ya hewa, ambapo nyumba ya Waziri wa Nchi Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu, Tawala za Mikoa na Serikali za Mitaa (Tamisemi), Hawa Ghasia ilichomwa moto.

Akizungumza na Mwananchi Jumapili kuhusu vurugu hizo, Mbunge wa Masasi Mjini, Mariam Kasembe alisema kuwa nyumba yake iliyoko Masasi mjini imechomwa moto na kuteketea kabisa, huku mali zikiibwa na kwamba familia yake sasa haina makazi.

Aliongeza kwamba mbali na uharibifu, vurugu hizo zimesababisha pia mama yake mzazi kukimbia na mpaka sasa hajulikani alipo.

“Wamechoma trekta na gari lililokuwepo nyumbani kwangu, watoto wangu na mume wangu walipoona hali hiyo wakakimbia,” alisema Kasembe akieleza kuwa hawezi kuthibitisha chanzo cha vurugu hizo, lakini anahisi kuwa zinatokana na mgogoro wa gesi.

mwananchi

Dekula Band"Ngoma Ya Kilo"

Akadevu-Music present's;
Lady Neema,Yaya Sella,
Bobo Sukari,Sammy Kasule
& Kababa Nkomba Gabby.

Dekula Band"Ngoma Ya Kilo"
Place:Lilla Wien"Little Nairobi"

Date:01-02/Feb/2013
Time:21.00-01.00
Addr:Swedenborgsg.20
Pendel:Södra Station

Mkutano wa mwaka wa chama cha watanzaniaSweden /Tanzaniska årsmöte

CHAMA CHA WATANZANIA

Kwa watanzania pamoja na marafiki
Chama cha watanzania Sweden kinawakaribisheni katika mkutano wa mwaka.
Tarehe: 23 febuari 2013
Wakati/Muda: Saa tisa mchana mpaka saa kumi na moja jioni ( 9:00 mchana – 11:00 jioni)
Sehemu: Tanzania house, Näsby Allé 6, Täby
Agenda
 Mkutano mkuu/uchaguzi wa viongozi
 Habari za maendeleo na mipangilio ya chama katika kipindi cha mwaka 2012 – 2013
 Uandikishaji wa wanachama
 Usikilizaji wa maoni ya wanachama
Kufika kwenu katika mkutano huu ni jambo zuri sana kwani tutabadilishana mawazo na kupeana habari njema juu ya chama chetu cha watanzania, na pia kutakua na tafrija ya chakula na viburudisho.
Kamati ya ushughulikiaji pamoja na
Katibu msaidizi
Nd. Mbarouk
tanzanianswe@hotmail.com

Seven key facts about Swedish job insurance

Confused about unemployment insurance in Sweden? As part of JobTalk Sweden, The Local's new series offering tips and insights about working in Sweden, we've put together a few pointers to help you navigate the process.

Swedish economic growth is looking flat for 2013 and many Swedish companies have already signaled they are looking at cutting staff this year.

And while no one ever thinks they're going to lose their job, it never hurts to make sure you're prepared should a dreaded redundancy notice come your way.

Fortunately, Sweden's social safety net is there, with relatively generous unemployment benefits available through unemployment insurance funds (Arbetslöshetskassor), commonly known as "a-kassa".

They've been around in Sweden in one form or another since the mid-1800s, when a machinists union tried to launch a scheme for its members.

The effort soon fizzled, however, and after a few more fits and starts, unemployment insurance was written into Swedish law in 1935.

Today, around 3.4 million workers in Sweden are enrolled in an unemployment insurance fund, according to figures from the Swedish Unemployment Insurance Board (IAF).

But figuring out exactly how everything works isn't always straightforward. Below are a few pointers to bear in mind as you go about signing up.

1) You need to be a member of a fund for at least a year to claim full benefits

Being a full member of an unemployment insurance fund entitles workers to receive up to 80 percent of their former salaries for the first 200 working days after losing their jobs.

The following 100 days are paid at 70 percent of previous income. However, payments are capped at 680 kronor ($104) per day, so high earners shouldn't expect to receive 80 percent of their previous salaries.

SEE ALSO: The Local's guide to 'going native'

But in order to receive the maximum payout, you need to have been a member of an unemployment insurance fund for at least 12 months prior to applying for benefits. While you can still get some money, how close you come to the maximum will depend on how much you've worked, with the insurance plan making the final call.

And even if you lose your job before you've managed to sign up for an unemployment insurance scheme, you can still qualify for benefits, but only at a basic level of no more than 320 kronor per working day.

2) Not all unemployment insurance funds are the same

There are currently 29 different unemployment insurance funds, and while they all offer the same basic income protection insurance, there are significant differences from one plan to the next.

For starters, many are run by trade unions and are only open to people who work in those industries. The Building Workers' Unemployment Insurance Fund (Byggnads arbetslöshetskassa) is meant for construction workers, for example, while the Teachers' Unemployment Insurance Fund (Lärarnas arbetslöshetskassa) is open to teachers.

You don't have to be a member of a union to join the plans, but some schemes offer discounts to union members.

In addition, the monthly membership dues vary substantially from one plan to the next.

Being a member of the Financial and Insurance Employees' Unemployment Insurance Fund (Finans- och försäkringsbranschens arbetslöshetskassa) will only set you back 85 kronor a month, while the monthly fee for the fund for hotel and restaurant workers (Hotell- och restauranganställdas a-kassa) stands at a hefty 390 kronor.

Fees can also vary depending on whether or not you are employed when you join.

There are also a couple of schemes that cater for a wider range of people.

The AEA (Akademikernas Erkända Arbetslöshetskassa), for example, is open to anyone with a bachelors degree (180 points gained through academic study in the European Credit Transfer System or 120 points in the old Swedish system).

Alfakassan, on the other hand, is open to anyone, regardless of their job or academic qualifications.

3) Benefit payments don't kick in right away

Even if you've been a member of a fund for more than a year, processing benefits claims can take time, so it's a good idea to have a little bit of money saved up to help cover costs while your application is being reviewed.

According to Katarina Mattsson with the Swedish Federation of Unemployment Insurance Funds (A-kassornas Samorganisation, SO), it takes a minimum of four weeks for benefits claims to be processed.

"But processing times can vary depending on the existing unemployment rate and how many claims have been filed," she explains.

In the first half of 2012, the average processing time was six weeks, according to figures from IAF. But some unemployment insurance funds needed a full 10 weeks to process an applicant's claim.

SEE ALSO: Five things you didn’t know about Sweden's diversity

Mattsson added that while initial payments can take time the ensuing monthly payouts occur automatically, provided recipients continue to fulfil other criteria to receive benefits.

It's also important to remember you need to file your benefits claim within nine months of losing your job, otherwise the funds can reject your application, provided there aren't extenuating circumstances, such as illness or injury, that prevented you from filing sooner.

4) Benefits aren't affected by how much money you have in the bank

Whatever unemployment insurance plan you join, the benefits you receive aren't means-tested. So, regardless of whether you have 10,000 kronor in the bank or 10 million, you will still be entitled to payments if you lose your job.

5) You can't just sit around and collect benefits

While your personal wealth may not affect your payouts, you need to meet other conditions in order to receive benefits.

First, you must be registered with Sweden's national employment agency (Arbetsförmedlingen), which plays a key role in ensuring you qualify for benefits.

"The jobs agency doesn't decide whether or not you receive benefits, but they can inform the unemployment insurance fund about whether or not they think you qualify," says Mattsson.

Among other things, you need to be physically able to work at least three hours a day and 17 hours a week. You also must actively seek and be ready to take any suitable job.

6) Running your own company can affect the benefits you receive

Small business owners and those who are self-employed can also claim benefits if their businesses go bust.

In fact, there is an unemployment insurance plan especially designed for small business owners, the Unemployment Insurance Fund for Entrepreneurs (Småföretagarnas arbetslöshetskassa, SmåA).

SEE ALSO: Top eight Swedish experiences

The fund is open to entrepreneurs, as well as their spouses and other family members if they are paid employees working within small and medium-sized family-owned businesses in Sweden.

People who run or own a company must shut down the company, or at least suspend all activity, in order to qualify for benefits. Using the unemployment schemes to cover a downturn in business is not allowed, meaning many people who run small companies opt to remain outside the schemes altogether.

"It is possible for self-employed people to get benefits, but determining the level of benefits can be a bit complicated," says Mattsson.

"There are a number of rules about determining when an operation is no longer profitable and about how much someone worked."

She adds, however, that the same benefit range applies to the self-employed that applies to salaried workers but that it's best to check with the fund for answers to specific questions.

7) It's possible to change from one plan to another

Let's say you join an unemployment insurance scheme when you take a job in construction, but two years later move to the hospitality industry. What happens then?

"A fund would never force you to leave, but it's better if you change to one that is related to your industry," advises Mattsson.

"They will have a better understanding of your industry, including relevant collective wage agreements, and be in a better position to deal with your specific needs."

SEE ALSO: Ten words that you didn't know came from the Vikings

So if you're having second thoughts about whether you joined the right fund, the decision isn't final.

Also worth bearing in mind is that unemployment insurance payments are taxed like any other income. Additionally, you will still have to pay the monthly fees while out of work, although you will be given a discount.

Do you have a question related to employment in Sweden? Send an email with your question to news@thelocal.se with "JobTalk Sweden" in the subject line.

David Landes

atcl kuanza safari zake za kigoma rasmi kesho

Wahandisi wa Shirika la Ndege la Tanzania (ATCL) wakikamilisha kufunga kioo kipya ambacho kimenunuliwa kutoka nchini Marekani cha ndege yao aina ya Dash-8 Q300 yenye namba za usajili SH-MWF ambayo ilipata ufa (Wind shield crack) tarehe 11 Januari, 2013, muda mfupi baada ya ndege hiyo kuruka kutoka Kigoma kurudi Dar Es Salaam katika safari zake za kawaida. 

Matengenezo hayo yanafanyika katika uwanja wa ndege wa Kigoma yakisimamiwa na Mhandisi Righton Mwakipesile na Mhandisi Merkior Karwani.

Uongozi wa ATCL umedhibitisha kuwa safari za Dar-Kigoma-Dar zitaendelea kama ratiba yao inavyoonyesha punde kuanzia kesho tarehe 22/1/2013. 

michuzi

equality minister Nyamko Sabuni steps down

 

Following Equality Minister Nyamko Sabuni's quick retreat, the government announced that her top aide, Maria Arnholm, who has a history in PR and marketing, would take over.

At a press conference on Monday morning held at government headquarters Rosenbad, the prime minister and the deputy prime minister introduced Maria Arnholm of the Liberal Party (Folkpartiet), who replaces Nyamko Sabuni as she steps down from her job as equality and integration minister.

Between 1991 and 1994, Arnholm was chief of staff for Bengt Westerberg, the Liberal Party minister who introduced the "daddy month" (pappamånad) that only men could take off when they became parents.

"I was proud and happy to work with Westerberg when the reform took place," Arnholm said on Monday.

"We now have two daddy months but we also have the equality bonus, and I want to wait and see how that plays out before making another move."

Although her predecessor last week announced it was time to discuss whether legislation was needed to make the Swedish business world more gender equal, Arnholm said it was time for "dialogue and conversation".

"It's remarkable that everyone thinks inequality is horrible but nothing happens," she said.

Arnholm, born 1958, said she had been aware of inequalities between men and women since her teenage years in Gothenburg during the 1970s.

She has been Sabuni's top aide since 2012.

Before returning to politics, she was the CEO of a PR and marketing company as well as head of communication at the food cooperative Coop, among other jobs.

Although Sabuni had previously said she would step down before the 2014 parliamentary elections, her resignation on Monday was unexpected.

Her replacement was "the most probable choice," said Maria Crofts, senior political reporter at the Dagens Nyheter newspaper.

Crofts said Arnholm's appointment as top aide in 2012 was probably part of preparing for her to take over.

Arnholm, she said, had a long history of political engagement both within the Liberal Party and gender equality questions.

Arnholm's former boss, Bengt Westerberg, welcomed the appointment.

"She's the one who convinced me that we should introduce the daddy month so I hope she'll pursue it further," he told TT.

TT/The Local/at

BASI LA NGANGA LAPATA AJALI MBEYA MMOJA AFARIKI NA WENGINE 40 KUJERUHIWA

BASI LA NGANGA LILILOKUWALINATOKEA MBEYA KWENDA DSM LIMEPINDUKA ENEO LA IMEZU  MBEYA AJALI HIYO IMETOKEA MAJIRA YA SAA MBILI ASUBUHI ABIRIA MMOJA AMEFARIKI PAPO HAPO NA ZAIDI YA MAJERUHI 40 WAMEPELEKWA KATIKA HOSPITALI YA RUFAA MBEYA ABIRIA ALIYEFARIKI AMETAMBUWA KWA JINA LA ENOCK LWILA MKAZI WA MAMA JOHN MBEYA NA NIMFANYABIASHARA MWANJELWA

BAADHI YA WAKAZI WA IMEZU WAMESEMA AJALI HIYO IMESABABISHWA NA MWENDO KASI 

MWILI WA MAREHEMU ENOCK LWILA  UKIWA UMELAZWA CHINI KUSUBIRI WANA USALAMA KUJA UCHUKUA

MAREHEMU ENOCK LWILA AMEKUTWA NA ZAIDI YA SHILINGI MILION 15 KATIKA SOKSI NA KWENYE MIFUKO YAKE YA SURUALI INASEMEKEANA ALIKUWA ANAENDA DSM KUNUNUA BIDHAA MBALIMBALI ZA DUKANI KWAKE

HAPA WANAUSALAMA WAKIHESABU PESA WALIZOZIKUTA KWENYE MWILI WA MAREHEMU ENOCK HUKU WANANCHI WAKISIMAMIA KWA MAKINI ZOEZI HILO LA KUHESABU HIZO HIZO PESA ZAIDI YA SHILINGI MILION 15  ALIKUWANAZO MAREHEMU 

chanzombeyayetublog

KAULI-TWANGA PEPETA

SIKILIZA UJUMBE MZURI UNAOTOKA HAPO.

KIJUA KINAWAKA LEO STOCKHOLM LAKINI MMH!

EEH UKIANGALIA HIYO MITI NAYO IMEPIGWA BARIDI MPAKA INASISIMKA(MGUU SAWA),TAFAKARI


MITAA YA GAMLASTAN (MJI WA ZAMANI) UNAVYOONEKANA.NI KIJUA KWA MBAALI LAKINI UKIJICHANGANYA UKAZANI KUNA JOTO IMEKULA KWAKO.BARIDI INASOMA -15 LEO.

SASA KM ULITOKA JANA NJE UKALIPATA BARIDI LILILOKUWEPO UTAELEWA NASEMA NINI MAANA JANA ILIKUA -5 NA HALI ILIKUA VILE NA SASA LEO -15 SIJUI ITAKUWAJE.

HAYA MI NDO NAJITWIKA MZIGO WANGU WA MAJACKET SWETA,BOOT TAYARI KUIVAA NJIA.

WEEK-END NJEMA.

Mawaziri waibua madudu ya kutisha bandarini Dar

Kaimu MKurugenzi wa Mamlaka ya Bandari Tanzania (TPA) Madeni Kipande (Kulia) akitoa maelezo kwa Mawaziri waliotembelea uongozi wa TPA ili kufahamu matatizo na changamoto zake jijini dar es Salaam jana, kutoka kushoto ni Waziri wa Fedha Dk William Mgimwa , Waziri wa Uchukuzi Dk Harrison  Mwakyembe na  Waziri wa Viwanda na Biashara Dk Abdallah Kigoda  Mwananchi

MAWAZIRI wanne wa Serikali ya Rais Jakaya Kikwete wameipa siku mbili Bodi na Menejimenti ya Mamlaka ya Bandari (TPA) kueleza sababu za kubadilishwa kwa kipengele cha mkataba wa ujenzi wa Mtambo wa Kupakua Mafuta katika Meli (SPM) bandarini.

Kutokana na kubadilishwa kwa kipengele hicho, TPA italazimika kutoa kiasi cha Dola 3 milioni ambazo ni sawa na takriban Sh4.8 bilioni katika kipindi cha miaka miwili kwa ajili ya kukarabati mtambo huo.

Pia wameagiza moja ya mashine inayotumika kukagua mizigo inayoingia katika bandari hiyo, iliyopelekwa katika Bandari ya Tanga miaka miwili iliyopita irejeshwe mara moja, kwa kuwa haifanyi kazi yoyote na kwamba, kukosekana kwake katika Bandari ya Dar es Salaam kunasababisha msongamano wa mizigo.

Maagizo hayo yalitolewa na Waziri wa Uchukuzi, Dk Harrison Mwakyembe Waziri wa Fedha, Dk William Mgimwa, Waziri wa Viwanda na Biashara, Dk Abdallah Kigoda na Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, George Simbachawene baada ya kufanya ziara fupi ya pamoja jana katika Bandari ya Dar es Salaam.

Wakati mawaziri hao wakitoa maagizo hayo, TPA ilieleza kuwa ili kuboresha huduma za bandari zote zilizopo nchini, inahitaji kupatiwa mkopo wa Dola 4 bilioni za Marekani.

Sakata la kunyofolewa kwa kipengele hicho cha mkataba, liliibuka baada ya Dk Mwakyembe kumbana Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa TPA, Madeni Kipande akieleza kwamba, licha ya mamlaka hiyo kukabidhiwa mtambo huo na mwekezaji ambaye ni Kampuni ya Leighton ya Singapore, inaonekana kuna kipengele ndani ya mkataba huo kimeondolewa.

“Awali mkataba ulieleza wazi kwamba baada ya kampuni hii kukamilisha kazi yake ya kuweka mtambo ingetuachia vifaa vya ukarabati wa mtambo ambavyo vina thamani ya Dola 300 milioni, lakini kampuni hii haikuacha, kwa nini” alihoji Dk Mwakyembe na kuongeza:

“Vifaa hivi vya ukarabati tungevitumia kwa muda wa miaka miwili, sasa tunataka kujua aliyekichomoa kipengele hiki ni nani, ili na sisi tumchomoe.”

Baada ya kauli hiyo ya Dk Mwakyembe, Simbachawene alizidi kumbana Kaimu Mkurugenzi huyo akisema: “Na kwa nini mkataba ubadilishwe wakati hicho kipengele ndiyo kilikuwa moja ya sababu za mwekezaji kupata hiyo zabuni ya ujenzi wa mtambo, hapa TPA si kuna wanasheria, iweje litokee hili?”

Akijibu swali hilo, Kipande alisema kuwa baada ya zabuni hiyo kupita kipengele hicho kiliondolewa, hivyo kuilazimu TPA kuingia gharama za kufanya matengenezo.

“Nilichokieleza ndiyo hicho… Ila naomba muda ili niliandike kwa maandishi suala hili,” alisema Kipande.

Licha ya maelezo hayo, Dk Mgimwa alimwambia Kipande kuwa wao wanahitaji taarifa sahihi ili wajue aliyekiondoa kipengele hicho kwa kuwa hali hiyo inaonyesha wazi kwamba bandari inahujumiwa, huku akiitika Bodi ya TPA kueleza hatua ilizochukua hadi sasa.

mwananchi

Eight-year wait for a home in Stockholm

Would-be Stockholm residents now have longer to wait for an available apartment than ever before, with new statistics showing an average waiting time on the region's housing queue of eight years.

Last year, 400,000 people were signed up and waiting for an apartment in the nation's capital, 9 percent more than in 2011 and roughly double the figure from 2006.

The average wait for a house in the region also shot up to 8.5 years - or 15 years for those who prefer to live centrally. The central island Kungsholmen has an average waiting time of 17 years.

These statistics come fresh from Stockholm's municipal housing queue, run byStockholms Stads Bostadsförmedling AB. 

Maria Nordlöf of Bostadsförmedling explained that the city's housing scheme is a whole different game from 10 to 20 years ago when it was possible to find a home in the centre of Stockholm.

"If you're looking for a rental apartment, you should consider the entire Stockholm region," she told the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper (SvD).

Further outside the centre of the Stockholm region, in areas such as Huddinge, Upplands Väsby, Järfälla or Botkyrka, the average waiting time dropped to six years.

But living outside of the city is no solution, according to Lina Glans, CEO of the Jagvillhabostad.nu ("I need a house now") website and lobbyist for increased housing in the nation's capital.

"The situation is extremely frustrating and affects a whole generation," she told the paper.

She stated that many people can't begin a real life as an adult until they have a stable housing situation in the same area as their work.

"That young people can't live where all the work is will affect Sweden's future development and growth."

Despite the extensive waiting times and long list of housing hopefuls, only 1,700 new homes were built in Stockholm last year.

TT/The Local/og