All Articles — Nordic Labour Journal

Green goals in a grey world

(Nov 25, 2024) Few organisations have goals as ambitious as the Nordic Council of Ministers. In a time when a certain resignation is spreading about whether the green transition will be possible, the Council of Ministers is still holding the flag high.

Globalisation is slowing down

(Oct 24, 2024) Globalisation is a powerful process impacting trade, migration patterns, and cultural influences. It cannot be stopped overnight, but now there are signs of globalisation slowing down.

All prim and proper in sports and construction

(Sep 19, 2024) In this edition, we have two themes: The fight against work-related crime and Sport as occupation. We thought they were very different. But there are things in common also here.

Will we get the artificial intelligence we deserve?

(Aug 26, 2024) The Nordic countries have a special responsibility to influence the development of AI systems to ensure they are safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory, and environmentally friendly.

The Nordic labour market turns 70 – but is it being fully explored?

(Jun 20, 2024) Being able to work in a neighbouring Nordic country without applying for a work or residency permit is a given for Nordic citizens. But why do we no longer do it?

Do we have the right tools to fight for a better work environment?

(May 27, 2024) Events that are near in time always get the most attention. But is that always smart? A study of work-related deaths from Finland’s top work environment experts shows that accidents in the workplace only counted for one per cent of deaths. Yet 57 per cent of state controls are performed to prevent accidents.

Where does the border between the EU and the Nordic region run?

(Apr 29, 2024) Right now is a fascinating time in Nordic and European politics. Rarely have so many things that affect the Nordics and their relationship with Europe been happening simultaneously. Some forces link the Nordic countries closer to each other and the EU, while at the same time, the boundaries for cooperation have become clearer.

Who wants to hire young women and men with two children?

(Mar 25, 2024) March is when gender equality usually takes centre stage. This year, the NLJ’s gender equality barometer shows a setback for women's share of 24 power positions in the Nordic countries. But we also look at childbirth, artificial intelligence, the EU's platform directive, and Iceland's refugee policy.

Socially excluded young people, a key issue across the Nordics

(Feb 29, 2024) Across the Nordic region, there is a focused search for measures to include young people who are not in education or employment into the labour market. Researchers agree that the best solution is for young individuals to be followed up by people they can have close and long-term relationships with. But the number of people who find themselves socially excluded remains approximately on the same level.

Border barriers – a Sisyphean task?

(Feb 03, 2024) In both the Nordic region and the EU, there is a rising number of complaints about the open labour market not being as open as we thought. Is this a warning sign, or is it a consequence of people moving more and businesses expanding their operations?

Tripartite negotiations as a model for the green transition

(Dec 06, 2023) The fight for a just green transition is taking place in several and very different arenas. While strike guards brave the cold of winter outside Tesla workshops in Sweden and climate negotiators meet in the heat of Dubai, Nordic employers, trade unions and government ministers gathered in Reykjavik.

How do we make the right predictions for the future of work?

(Nov 06, 2023) The Nordic labour markets are doing well. Several of the countries are seeing record employment rates. Meanwhile, there are major changes to how and where jobs are being performed. Global trends like digitalisation and climate change mean new professions and skills are needed. How do we future-proof our education programmes?

2023 Nordic Council – dominated by security policy

(Nov 06, 2023) More defence and security politics in the Nordic Council, but hardly any new money. It is still unclear whether the three autonomous areas can become full-fledged members. Only Sweden opposes a dedicated council of ministers for transport. That is how you could sum up this year’s Nordic Council session.

Nordic preparedness put to the test

(Sep 26, 2023) Rarely has the scout motto been more apt than right now. When the leader says “Be prepared!” the scouts answer “Always prepared!”

The need to facilitate mobility in the Nordics

(Aug 22, 2023) “My ambition is to make commuting within the Nordic region as unhindered by red tape as possible, both for the worker and the employer. And cross-border commuters should be able to work from home without it having consequences for the amount of tax they pay.”

Karen Ellemann – Nordic through and through

(Aug 22, 2023) The Nordic Council of Ministers’ new Secretary General takes on responsibility for the Nordic cooperation as challenges are piling up – on security policy, the environment and the Nordic model itself. But she is an incurable optimist and believes the Nordic vision can be achieved.

The Nordics look to the Baltics

(Jun 26, 2023) The war in Ukraine has brought the Nordics and the Baltics closer together. This will become very clear during the Nato summit in Vilnius on 11 and 12 July, when Finland and perhaps even Sweden will participate as members of the defence alliance for the first time. We take a closer look at the cooperation with the Baltic countries which has grown to become more equal.

When do we get a Council of Ministers for Transport?

(Apr 27, 2023) If the prime ministers really want the Nordics to become the world’s most integrated region, there should be a designated Nordic Council of Ministers for transport and infrastructure.

Scarpetta: The OECD has learned a lot from studying the Nordics

(Apr 27, 2023) Stefano Scarpetta is excited when he goes up to the podium at the start of the OECD and Nordic Council of Ministers conference in Reykjavik. "I don't know how you did it, but thank you for the fantastic northern lights that we got to experience last night!"

On the fringes of the EU

(Mar 23, 2023) The Nordics’ relationship with the EU stretches from Denmark joining 50 years ago to Iceland's current renewed debate about reopening accession talks that were never finalised.