BWI Swedish affiliate Byggnads held its congress in Malmö, in the south of Sweden, from 28 to 31 May 2026 under the theme of a stronger, safer Sweden, where people live and work in an inclusive community. Unions from countries such as Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Finland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and the United States participated in the event. BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson and BWI Regional Representative for EuropeGeneviève Kalina were also present.

The congress elected Kim Söderström as Byggnads President. “We will continue to work for higher wages, safer workplaces, and order in the construction industry,” he said.

“It’s huge, not just for me, but for all other women in the construction industry,” underlined Linda-Li Käld, the first woman to join the board as deputy president. She is a painter and originally comes from the Painters’ Union, which joined Byggnads in 2024.

Thomas Schultz and Emil Persson were elected as union secretary and contract secretary, respectively.
The values of strength, pride, and safety underpin each goal set by Byggnads’ 2030 strategy. The union will continue to focus on recruiting more members to ensure a strong local, regional, and national presence in both small and large workplaces. It will also work strategically to increase the participation of young people, women, and underrepresented groups in the construction industry. This strategy will enable the union to play an active role in leading and influencing developments and in advancing key issues such as the fight against organised crime and ensuring an industry where companies compete on equal terms. It will also contribute to ensuring that employers using foreign labour sign collective agreements.

There were also discussions on housing construction, shorter working hours, training, and gender equality, among other topics. In the area of the work environment, several motions were discussed on increased efforts to combat mental ill-health.

In his speech, Yuson asserted that BWI and Byggnads are on the frontline of various struggles. “We defend our rights. We fight against exploitation. And we mobilise for global solidarity.”

“You supported us when our members needed help. You helped us continue our work when everything around us was uncertain,” said Kateryna Voloshko, International Secretary of Profbud, Ukrainian construction workers.

Byggnads’s congress also took a historic decision when delegates passed a motion in favour of a boycott of Israel.