In Focus
ILO's DG Guy Ryder finds inspiration from problem-solving Iceland
Why does the Director-General of ILO choose Iceland as one of his last stops before the organisation’s centenary celebrations kick off? Why Reykjavík and not Paris or Rome?
Iceland’s equal pay standard – the employer’s best weapon?
From Reykjavík in the south to Sauðárkrókur in the north – companies across Iceland are introducing the equal pay standard which aims to eradicate gender pay gaps. But the reform also faces criticism from some who say it restricts employees’ opportunities to secure pay increases and bonuses.
Digitalisation and new forms of employment: what’s happening under the surface?
We have yet to see dramatic change to the way people are employed in the Nordic region as a result of digitalisation and new ways of organising work. But the nature of work will change nevertheless. This could lead to conflicts of interests and friction between different work groups, says Fafo researcher Jon Erik Dølvik. He heads a major research project which will inform Nordic governments and the ILO.
Nordic power positions: a modest increase in gender equality
The past year has seen two new governments emerge in the Nordics, and several changes among the top brass in labour market. But there were only modest changes to the gender balance. Women get one point more and end up with 66 points in the NLJ’s gender equality barometer, where 100 points means equal power distribution between the genders in the Nordic countries. But Iceland overtakes Norway.
I wanted to spend time at home with my daughter
When Malte Conrad became a father three years ago, he wanted to take as much paid parental leave as possible. This summer he will be the father of twins, and wants to do it all again.
Danish opposition to EU rules on daddy leave
Danish men who would like more paternal leave get support from new EU rules. But there is broad opposition in the Danish parliament to what is being seen as the EU meddling in Danish family affairs.
Basic income made Finns happier
Finland’s basic income experience came to an end 2018. The 2,000 unemployed people who received a basic income for two years instead of other benefits did not work more in the end, but they grew happier.
Swedish women in blue-collar jobs lose out
The gender wage gap continues to narrow in Sweden. But take a closer look at the numbers, and you see that not everyone is part of the positive development. Ahead of the 8th of March, LO again warns that women in blue-collar jobs are lagging behind.
Sick leave levels tend to rise during good times
Sick leave linked to psychological ill health has increased in Finland in recent years. According to research from the country’s Social Insurance Institution, there is a link between the increase and many years of economic growth. This has happened before.
Vabba or vobba, that is the question
In Sweden, February is often known as Vabruary, because that is the month most parents chose to vabba, a Swedish term for taking time off to look after sick children. Now it is becoming more common to stay at home with sick children while also working, This is known as vobba, and is proving somewhat controversial.
New Norwegian IA agreement: More of the same, but fewer conflicting goals
After 17 years, the Inclusive Workplace Agreement (IA) was renegotiated and changed in late 2018. No-one still knows for sure how to reduce sick leave levels, but the remedies in the IA agreement will now be available to all companies.
2018 – a trying year for Statistics Norway’s independence
Statistics Norway (SSB) did not hold back in its description of itself in its latest annual report: “SSB acts as Norway’s first line of defence in the fight against fake news by providing objective and relevant statistics, research and analysis to help understand Norway,” it says.
Denmark leads the way on statistics using microdata
When it comes to statistics, Denmark is leading the way in the Nordics as well as internationally. Half a century of data-gathering from personal information registers provides detailed statistics about Danes and their working lives.
Tourism pushes Iceland's CO2 emissions to record levels
While many countries have managed to cut their climate gas emissions, Iceland has seen a marked increase in recent years according to the latest data from 2016. That year, the per capita carbon dioxide emissions were 16.9 tonnes. The EU average was 7.3 tonnes per capita.
OECD: Politicians put too much trust in the GDP
Do we have the necessary statistics to govern our societies in the best possible way? Or is a blind trust in statistics to blame, at least indirectly, for the collapse in trust in authorities after the financial crisis? Before dismissing this as a conspiracy – the theory was presented by none other than the OECD.
Marjo Bruun: The new economy is a statistical challenge
Marjo Bruun, Director General for Statistics Finland, considers journalists to be the most important partners in the fight for honest words and digits.
Nordic statistics: frontline defenders of truth
Narrowing social gaps is what defines democracy. If the figures only reflect growth but not how it is distributed, we end up with the wrong political decisions. The five Nordic statistics central agencies work every day to show and explain how the Nordics tick. But there are many challenges when it comes to maintaining trust and creating the statistics we need.
Nothing is sacred in the debate about the Swedish model
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
The government and parliament could undermine the flexicurity model by shaving too much off unemployed Danes’ benefits, warns Danish professor.
Finnish government on collision course with unions
The conflict between the Finnish government and trade unions over weakening employment protection legislation has led to several political strikes in Finland. The conflict seems to have been solved thanks to classic tripartite negotiations, yet the future of the tripartite model is increasingly unclear.
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