SWEDEN'S WORKLESS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 93, 17 October 1934, Page 13

SWEDEN'S WORKLESS

OCCUPATION FOR THE YOUNG

It is announced that the Swedish Unemployment Commission has prepared further plans for dealing with, unemployed young people. The plans are to provide for 15,000 youthful unemployed and consist not only of useful work but also of special, courses of training in various subjects. At tho same time it is stated that the amount of unemployment among Swedish workers, and especially among the younger ones, has considerably decreased lately. An interesting proposal is the construction of special cycle tracks alongside the highways of the country. The last census of traffic in Stockholm showed that cyclists were considerably increasing in numbers. It is estimated there are at present tSO per cent, more cycles in use than there were two years ago. The majority of cyclists are young people, and it seems fit that the special tracks should be made by the young.

Another useful work which will occupy the young unemployed is the digging of ditches in wooded laud to prevent the spread of forest fires, which every year cause considerable damage.

Numbers of the unemployed arc accommodated in camps, some maintained by loenl authorities and some by tho [ Uncnipl J.-nient Commission. The camps at present arranged can take about 5000 youths. Here, too, useful work is done, and in addition to board and lodging the workers receive a certain amount in wages. About SOOO can take- the various courses, which provide training in machine work, woodwork, metalwork, leather work, milking, driving of oil engines and tractors, electrical work, welding, etc. Tho instruction is both practical and theoretical.