News
The Nordic region: defying economic theory
May 01, 2007 The Nordic countries defy many of the traditional economic theories. Despite having large public sectors, strong unions, small wage differences, generous welfare states and high taxes, their economies have fared better than those of most countries.
Portrait
The Nordic women – leaders in gender equality
May 01, 2007 The Nordic countries are leaders when it comes to equality between men and women. Nowhere else do women have such good opportunities to participate in working life and build careers. Finland recently set a new world record in the number of women in government, with 12 women cabinet members.
tema
Chasing nurses and sailors - Norway's ethical dilemma of importing workers
May 01, 2007 The lack of skilled workers is a big problem in Norway, where unemployment has fallen to less than two percent. Healthcare and shipping might seem like very different sectors, yet both are trying to attract foreign workers.
tema
Labour shortage on everyone's lips
May 01, 2007 Are we running out of manpower? After years of economic boom in the Nordic countries, an increasing number of businesses say they can no longer expand simply because there are not enough qualified people to employ. Meanwhile, a demographic problem is lurking; the large groups of people born in the 1940s are about to retire.
tema
Finland: New government wants increased immigration
May 01, 2007 Finland has one of the lowest immigration rates in the EU, while its population is ageing quicker than anywhere else in the Union. That does not bode well for the country's future labour market. Now the new government wants to increase labour immigration. But the situation for those already in the country must be improved first.
tema
Theme: The hunt for manpower is on
May 01, 2007 Will there be enough manpower when economies grow year on year while populations are ageing? No, say many employers in the Nordic countries. Their warning is that lack of manpower will jeopardise economic growth and innovation. Governments too are on the alert. Welfare states are dependent on enough workers to keep ticking over.
forskning
Commission Green Paper on labour law and the challenges of the 21st century
May 01, 2007 The Barrosso Commission of the European Union presented in late 2006 a Green Paper entitled “Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century”. The paper has received reactions and comments during the whole of spring. The general assessment is that the Nordic countries and the Nordic social partners have been rather critical to the suggestions and proposals in the Green Paper.
Comments
UK's Eastern European salvation or damnation
Oct 01, 2006 A day trip to Britain's famous Blackpool seaside resort left me wondering whether I'd taken a wrong turning and ended up in Poland. In every chip shop, every café, every gaming arcade and at every amusement ride I was served by a Marek, an Ewa or a Dariuz.
tema
Work place learning with a human face
Oct 01, 2006 Life-long learning is seen as the golden key to unlock the magic door to the future. Through continued competence development we shall overcome global competition and accelerating technological development, employers will find competent employees, and employees will be flexible enough to follow the windy road of development. In the long run, knowledge will secure growth and welfare.
News
Committing to a sustainable corporate life
Oct 01, 2006 It's called CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility, and it's the largest project of its kind in Europe. Danish business leaders to be coursed in social responsibility - known as CSR. This autumn sees the beginning of a major project, which involves sending 12.000 business leader.
Insight
New life for “industrial graveyards“ - lots of jobs in culture and arts
Oct 01, 2006 All around Europe a fast growing labour market in culture and arts gives new vigour to cities and towns. In de-industrialised places this is particularly evident. Instead of moving out, people have started to move in - to jobs in the “creative sector“ - counting for an average of one third of all jobs.
tema
Border-less learning
Oct 01, 2006 "Adult learning is a priority", said Norwegian deputy minister Åge Rosnes, when he opened the conference "Quality adult learning. A challenge for the Nordic welfare model?" It was one of many events which form part of "The Nordic Network for Adult Learning" (NVL). It begun in January 2005 as an initiative by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It's task is to develop adult learning.
forskning