Editorial
Who can come, who can stay and who deserves a worthy life?
Feb 11, 2014
Sweden is a strong proponent for a generous and open immigration policy. The differences between the Nordic countries become clear. Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag stands out when he talks to the Nordic Labour Journal.
tema
A Minister visits the Office of Opportunity and the Place of Opportunity
Feb 11, 2014
“The important thing is to create a feeling of “us” for everyone who lives in Sweden and who sees their future to be here. If you want to live here you should also have a future here, but then there are issues which must be sorted out; like a job, language and security,” says Sweden’s Minister for Integration Erik Ullenhag.
tema
Finland is learning the meaning of immigration
Feb 11, 2014
Finland has taken longer to adapt its labour market to immigration than other Nordic countries. It is more than ten years ago now that the then Minister of Employment Tarja Filatov (Social Democratic Party) gathered Nordic integration expert to a meeting outside of Helsinki.
tema
"Every Polish worker's dream is a steady job in Norway"
Feb 11, 2014
The sizeable immigration from former Eastern European countries to the Nordic countries - and to Norway in particular - calls for integration measures which also include labour migrants, say Norwegian researchers.
tema
Jobs are key to all Nordic countries’ integration policies
Feb 11, 2014
All of the Nordic countries are attractive targets for refugees and labour migrants alike. But there are major differences both between which groups arrive and how they are received. Finland and Iceland have always stood out, but now the differences are increasing at a faster rate also between Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
tema
Positive prejudices benefit Icelandic immigrants
Feb 11, 2014
Being Icelandic can be an advantage if you're looking for somewhere to live and work in Norway. Icelanders themselves believe their historical roots in Norway are often the reason they’re well received by Norwegians. One anthropologist thinks Icelanders have an advantage over other immigrant groups in Norway.
In focus
New measures for better integration
Feb 11, 2014
Open borders in Europe has led to a new wave of labour migrants from crisis-hit countries to the Nordic countries. This poses new challenges, but emphasis is now being put on finding ways to make sure those who are allowed to stay are secured the right to a better life where education and work is key.
Portrait
Solveig Horne, minister with a blue-blue view of Norwegian integration
Feb 11, 2014
“I am now in government,” says the Progress Party’s Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Solveig Horne. She will stick to the cooperation agreement with the Conservatives and the supporting parties the Liberals and Christian Democrats.
News
Fewer deaths at work
Feb 11, 2014
The number of deaths in Nordic workplaces continues to fall, according to preliminary figures collected by NLJ for last year from Finland, Sweden and Denmark. But there has been an increase in fatal accident in Norway, a trend which has repeated itself for the past three years.
News
Recommendations ready for new Danish employment policy
Feb 06, 2014
There will be major changes to measures aimed at unemployed people on benefit if the Danish government follows the recently published recommendations from the so-called Carsten Koch committee. A new employment policy is expected to be ready before the summer recess.
News
Renewed focus on Danish working environments
Feb 06, 2014
Denmark’s construction industry will fight to limit workplace accidents. It’s the latest in a range of government initiatives aimed at improving the physical work environment.
Editorial
Fresh thinking is crucial
Dec 11, 2013
At the Employment Forum in Brussels, a labour life conference with participants from across Europe, one message was repeated over and over: no matter how much you give unemployed people training, nothing happens unless you create jobs. But how? Fresh thinking is crucial.
tema
From vulnerable woman to professional knitter
Dec 11, 2013
Danish social entrepreneur Nina Brandi has successfully involved vulnerable women in her knitting business mormor.no which sells hand and machine knitted products to a global market.
In focus
Europe looking for new ways of creating new jobs
Dec 11, 2013
Across Denmark 130 grandmothers are knitting children’s clothes for the company Mormor.nu. There are customers in New York, South Korea and Australia — and in the Nordic countries. The project is an example of a closer cooperation between the public and private sector and civil society. We have looked at some of the innovative projects in a Europe which desperately needs to think fresh.
tema
Partnerships could create more jobs in Europe
Dec 11, 2013
Labour market measures and various types of training are not enough, no matter how good they are. Job creation is the crucial thing and it must happen through cooperation between the public and private sectors and civil society. These were some of the conclusions when labour market experts met at the annual Employment Forum in Brussels.
tema
Employers need help to hire marginalised people
Dec 11, 2013
Employers’ attitudes when it comes to hiring workers with reduced work ability is not necessarily governed by ill will. A targeted effort to support employers through a project running for several years in Satakunta in western Finland showed that they need facts and practical advise in order to successfully hire people who for instance have mental challenges.
tema
Second-hand bikes showing the way back to the labour market
Dec 11, 2013
Jasmina Smajić Šupuk from Slovenia was unemployed for two years but had a background from voluntary organisations like Amnesty International. When she could find no employer who would take her on, she decided to start her own business — finding other people jobs.
Portrait
Kaj Leo Johannesen: The Faroe Islands’ challenge is to keep hold of its youths
Dec 11, 2013
Since 28 August the Faroe Islands have been boycotted by the EU and Norway because of a dispute over North Atlantic herring and mackerel. Faroese vessels are banned from landing these two species in the EU, Prime Minister Kaj Leo Johannesen tells the Nordic Labour Journal.
News
The 2014 Icelandic Presidency: focus on masculinity
Dec 11, 2013
Iceland takes over the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers from next year, during which time the Council will focus on labour market issues, men and masculinity as well as ways of removing border obstacles between the Nordic countries.
News
Do the statistics paint a true picture of youth unemployment?
Dec 11, 2013
There are considerable difference between the Nordic countries in their levels of youth unemployment and how long it lasts. But are some of the differences a result of the way in which statistics are gathered, and are Sweden and Finland really doing worse than any of the other countries in all aspects?
a