In Focus
Danish foundation supporting more research on welfare states
The Rockwool Foundation has shares in a major Danish industrial concern and billions of kroner in assets which help fund research into the welfare state’s challenges. That is the kind of research the Nordics need more of, believes the foundation’s president Elin Schmidt.
Varða in Iceland: a bridge between trade unions and academics
Iceland's labour market research institute Varða was set up in February 2020 by The Icelandic Confederation of Labour ASÍ and the Confederation of State and Municipal Employees BSRB. The purpose was to strengthen social and economic labour market research and bridge the gap between academics and the labour market.
Sweden: most casual jobs and lowest work protection
Sweden has the highest unemployment levels among the Nordics, and also more casual jobs and lower employment protection levels for those on temporary contracts. An award-winning dissertation shows the consequences deregulation has had for people without permanent employment.
How much independence for Greenland, Åland and Faroes in the future?
Will the Nordic region in the future merge into one single federal state, or will there be eight, instead of five separate nation states?
Will Greenland get the mining adventure off the ground?
Greenland is about to introduce a range of reforms aimed at creating a well-functioning labour market and a stable framework for foreign investments in industries like mining.
Collective agreement extensions – the second best alternative?
Why is there so much resistance in the Nordics against the EU Commission directive on minimum wages? The answer is that the countries believe they have a nearly perfect system of collective agreements, so why change something that works? In many European countries where the social partners are weaker, extensions of collective agreements form an important part of the wage model.
"Important to continue the extension of collective agreements"
Many workers enjoy improved conditions thanks to the extension of collective agreements. One leader of a trade union organising fisheries workers believes the solution must continue even though it is not a magic solution.
Language technology – threats and opportunities
Language technology development has accelerated rapidly. This is important not only for those who make a living from translation – be it interpreters or translators – but for all businesses that have to relate to different languages. Are the Nordic countries ahead of the curve or are the IT giants like Google, Apple and Microsoft about to take control over important parts of our languages?
Understanding each other – digital services ease cultural exchange
A common digital platform for topical conversations with Nordic profiles could raise awareness about what is going on in our neighbouring countries – just like television once did. New technology makes it easier to cross national borders.
Norway's interpreter costs rise, yet interpreters are underused
The cost of interpreter services in the public sector has risen sharply in Norway. In 2019 the total cost was 843 million kroner (€85.3m). In six years interpreter costs have gone up by 72%. But not using qualified interpreters at all can quickly become even more costly. New interpreter legislation could improve the situation.
Small languages need big language's help to reach IT giants
Languages that are not used in the digital world will not survive. That is the brutal message which formed the basis for the Nordic language meeting – a two days long conference on the latest development in language technology.
Iceland: Trust in politicians almost regained
On September 25 the Icelandic voters will elect a new parliament. Majority governments used to be the rule, but with more parties and four years with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the rulebook has changed.
Trust levels in Sweden are swaying
Trust between people in Sweden is high, just like in the other Nordic countries. And despite the pandemic and high death rates, trust remains high in Sweden compared to the rest of the world. But on a local level, there is a growing gap between areas of high and low trust, according to the latest Trust Barometer.
Has it become harder to govern the Nordics?
Three of the five Nordic countries are now run by minority governments. Does this mean the political pillar of the Nordic model has grown weaker? While the power of the major established parties is dwindling across the Nordics, trade unions and employers gather in ever-larger organisations.
Nordic cooperation – a must-have or nice-to-have?
The pandemic has led to increased polarization between the Nordic countries and trust between Nordic citizens has fallen. This is particularly true for those living far apart. In border regions, where people know each other, it has been less damaged.
Three Swedish stories of service during the pandemic
To be of service. A task with varying content depending on the business. A common thread these days: How to best get through the pandemic. In Höganäs it happened on a local as well as on an international level.
“Chocolate brown is the post-pandemic comeback office colour”
What do I wear? That could be this autumn’s great question for many who will be returning to work after the holidays. Many Finnish employees have been working from home since March 2020.
100 years of comfort clothes coming out of the closet
A current exhibition at the Helsinki Design Museum showcases the Finnish clothing company Nanso and the 100 years-old history of their everyday fashion. The theme is “The Comfort Revolution” – how comfort and wellbeing has steered fashion’s evolution towards today’s Corona fashion.
Improved labour market access for sign language users
Earlier this year the Norwegian parliament passed a new language act that states that Norway is multilingual. For the first time, Norwegian sign language was recognised as the national sign language, equal to spoken and written Norwegian as a language and cultural expression.
Nordic job exchange hopes to bounce back from Corona
Many Nordic cooperation platforms have been hit by the Corona pandemic. One of the higher profile ones is Nordjobb, the Nordic mobility programme for young workers. Summer jobs should be starting up now, but many are still waiting to hear from their prospective employers.
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