Nordic Model — Nordic Labour Journal

Nothing is sacred in the debate about the Swedish model

(Nov 15, 2018) The current Swedish collective agreement does not run out until 2020. That should normally mean a period of calm for the Swedish labour market. But the debate is raging: Big changes to the labour market could be just around the corner, depending on who ends up forming a government.

Politics could pose a threat to Denmark's unique labour market model

(Nov 15, 2018) The government and parliament could undermine the flexicurity model by shaving too much off unemployed Danes’ benefits, warns Danish professor.

The European Labour Authority ELA challenges the Norwegian model

(Nov 15, 2018) “If it turns out that Norwegian collective agreements can be overruled by the European Labour Authority, Norway might have to use its veto power in the EEA,” says Marianne Marthinsen, a member of parliament from the Norwegian Labour Party.

Theme: Focus on conflict resolution

(Nov 10, 2018) Politicians, trade union leaders and employers share one thing: Conflict solving forms a large part of their jobs. A society needs to balance work and capital, rules and freedoms, in order to achieve welfare.

OECD Deputy Secretary-General Mari Kiviniemi: Sticks to facts and fears protectionism

(Jun 22, 2018) Former Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi has spent nearly a lifetime in Finnish politics. As OECD Deputy Secretary-General she has spent most of her time advising the world’s governments on development and growth. At year’s end it is over. Now she wants to help Finland prosper as leader for the Finnish Commerce Federation.

Can continuously learning save Finland’s future competences needs?

(May 28, 2018) In Finland, experts are looking at education policies and more for solutions to the future labour market’s challenges. A government-appointed panel has presented its first report, ‘Ett ständigt lärande Finland’ (Finland – a country of continuous learning) – which has been subject to criticism from trade unions for being light on concrete measures.

Jon Erik Dølvik: Technology easily blinds us, yet we can shape our own future of work

(May 28, 2018) He does not use the analogy himself, but when Jon Erik Dølvik talks about the future of work it sounds as if he is talking about the Gulf Stream. When researching whether the Nordic model can manage challenges like automation, globalisation and the platform economy, he is mostly interested in how the flow of capital affects employment.

Nordic region strengthens cooperation against work-related crime – wants EU onboard

(Apr 19, 2018) It is called the grey economy, social dumping, work-related crime – yet despite the many names the problems are common and concern all of the Nordic region and Europe. This is about criminal networks, pure exploitation of labour, businesses operating on the edge of the law and unequal competition. All this led to a joint resolution at the ministers’ meeting in Stockholm on 13 April.

The golden formula

(Dec 11, 2017) When we can watch a robot do a summersault, we know there has been a technological leap. We cannot know the consequences, but change is needed to face what is happening.

Joint Nordic project on the future of work

(Dec 11, 2017) The Nordic ministers of labour have launched a comprehensive research project led by the Norwegian research foundation FAFO, studying how Nordic working life might look like in 2030. The knowledge resulting from the research will be used for further cooperation on the future of work in the working life sector.

The Nordics are entering the future of work

(Dec 11, 2017) How do we prepare the Nordic model for the future of work? The question gets a lot of attention in a time of major demographic and technological change. The count-down to the ILO’s centenary celebrations has started, and the Nordics want to contribute – but how?

Magnus Gissler: Growing international interest for Nordic agreement model

(Dec 10, 2017) “In my view the trend has changed, and the interest for and understanding of the Nordic model has grown internationally. This also gives more energy to the Nordic cooperation,” says Magnus Gissler, General Secretary of The Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS).

TBU at 50: Wage formation – the Norwegian model’s unique attribute

(Oct 05, 2017) The basis for the Norwegian version of the Nordic model is a shared understanding of reality before the parties begin wage negotiations. The result has been few conflicts and narrow pay gaps.

Ragnhild Lied – Head of Nordic trade unions guarding the Nordic model

(Sep 19, 2017) Globalisation, technological developments and a changing labour market are all challenges to organised work. Trade union leader Ragnhild Lied is at the frontline fighting labour market crime, the shadow economy, new organisational structures and the weakening of the working environment act.

A platform economy, on what terms?

(May 26, 2017) Is the digital platform economy a threat to the Nordic model? Which strategies are needed in order to influence the development? Is a separate Nordic platform economy possible? The Nordic Labour Journal shines a light on the future of work.

Micro-management a threat to Nordic labour market models

(Apr 06, 2017) There is a need for an institutionalised exchange of ideas between the Nordic countries on labour market issues, believes Oxford Research, which has compared labour market politics in the Nordic countries. They also encourage politicians to avoid micro-management and to trust those who work with these issues.

Protect the trust!

(Sep 16, 2016) "Trust did not create the welfare state, but the welfare state could not exist without trust," says the researcher. Trust is the glue in the Nordic model. Without trust, joint decision-making and collective negotiations would not have existed.

Nordic countries top of global trust league

(Sep 16, 2016) The Nordic countries are top of the world when it comes to trust. This means people dare to cooperate, which benefits the economy a great deal. And from trust more trust is born.

Frustrated border commuters in the south, hopeful border cooperation in the north

(Sep 16, 2016) Train delays resulting from ID checks at Öresund is irritating and tiring for many border commuters, while new agreements for cooperation are made in the Nordics’ northern regions. Commuter routes between Norway and Sweden are also as busy as ever.

Poul Nielson: Introduce mandatory adult education and further training in the Nordics

(Jun 14, 2016) The five Nordic countries should make adult education and further training a mandatory element of the labour market, and introduce real cooperation on migration. These are central issues to secure the Nordic labour market model for future years, recommends a new report from the Nordic Council of Ministers.