News
Unions in retreat across Europe
Sep 14, 2012 Trade unions have lost members and influence over the past 20 years in almost all European countries. High unemployment, an increasingly deregulated labour market and weaker safety nets makes many workers weary of putting their demands forwards and to become union members. Unions in several countries also criticise what they see as a relatively self-congratulatory Nordic model.
Insight
The Nordic model marries growth and equality
Sep 13, 2012 For five years now the Nordic model has been the subject of a study which aims to establish whether the model can manage to modernise. A conference in Oslo at the end of August marked the end of REASSESS, where 80 reports and five books were presented over two intensive days.
tema
Swedish youths’ first job in Norway
Jun 28, 2012 Anyone moving to another Nordic country must have some money - the first pay check doesn’t come immediately, but the living costs do. In Norway you normally have to pay a three months’ deposit on top of the first month’s rent - enough to stop many young people in their tracks.
tema
Nordic report: ‘Youth on the edge’ the greatest problem
Jun 28, 2012 Nordic youth unemployment figures between 10 and 25 percent are bad enough. Even more alarming is the fact that 5 to 10 percent of Nordic 15 to 24 year olds are not in education, work or training. This problem has risen during the latest economic crisis.
In focus
Youth on the edge
Jun 27, 2012 Youth unemployment is a big problem in the Nordic region. Most exposed are those who have neither jobs nor are they in any kind of education. Many youths move to a different Nordic country to work. But so far this has not helped those who are unemployed. This summer the Nordic exchange programme Nordjobb launches ‘Jobbresan’ (the Job Journey).
Comments
Editorial: Can apps open the door to a new working life?
May 22, 2012 The mobile telephone is one of the best examples of Nordic cooperation there is. The use of the same standards across Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden created a market which was big enough to allow companies like Nokia and Ericsson a head start and to become major exporters.
tema
Everybody wants and app - but what for?
May 22, 2012 “Mobile telephone apps mean new ways of working as we’ll be able to access systems from anywhere and companies will start using mobiles more and more as a tool,” says Elin Lundström, managing director at app developer and IT company Decuria in Stockholm.
tema
The IT revolution’s third wave
May 22, 2012 The development of smartphones is changing many people’s lives. Yet universal online access is only one part of the new IT revolution which will also have a big impact on working life. Smartphones and tablets became really powerful tools when Apple allowed anyone to develop the apps these devices run.
Portrait
Palle Ørbæk signals new course for Europe’s work environment policies
May 22, 2012 Making sure people can work to their best capacity should be a top priority when improving working environments says Palle Ørbæk, director general at the Danish Research Centre for the Working Environment. Ten other top European working environment researchers are backing him.
tema
Home address stops Valgerður’s maternity pay
Apr 15, 2012 An Icelandic woman who lives in Iceland but works for an Oslo-based business experienced the cross border commuter’s nightmare. Despite contributing to Norway’s national insurance fund since 2003, she receives no maternity pay. She doesn’t even know who will pay the hospital bill for when she gave birth to her son. Neither Norway nor Iceland wants to pay.
tema
All problems are solvable - but new obstacles often emerge faster than old ones are removed
Apr 15, 2012 Border obstacles are words which don’t really do the issue justice. Getting across borders is the least of Nordic citizens‘ problems - they’ve enjoyed a common labour market and passport-free travel since 1954.
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