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Finnish fast track through the employment office
Aug 01, 2005 During the 90s, Finland succeeded in rapidly reducing unemployment among young people. Now new tools are needed to move on. A system of fast-tracking them through the employment office has proved successful. The method is called society guarantee. The aim is for all unemployed between 17 and 25 to either get a place of study, start work training or to get a taste of working life in workshops.
Portrait
Nordic Council of Ministers: Neighbours catching the same wind
Jul 01, 2005 Because they are so similar, the Nordic countries can enjoy the advantage of exchanging experiences. The Nordic co-operation is being developed in areas where one can enjoy a synergy effect. When the Nordic Council of Ministers of Employment meet, one question on the table is this: Can the Nordic model, which has been so successful and so close to its citizens, be a source of inspiration for the rest of Europe – or will it be undermined by the EU?
forskning
Innovation: More than just a good idea
Mar 01, 2005 European employment policy has, in recent years, turned more and more strongly towards innovation. For high cost countries, the continuous cost-cutting improvements of existing products, services and processes is no longer sufficient to maintain employment and income. On this, there is little disagreement.
News
Warning of a black work market
Mar 01, 2005 There is a clear risk of increased social dumping in the extended Europe. Wages differ widely, and labour laws are interpreted in many different ways. That is why Niklas Bruun, professor of labour law at Sweden’s National Institute for Working Life, wants to encourage European countries to actively fight the emergence of a black labour market.
Portrait
Saved? – At least for now
Mar 01, 2005 For the past few months General Motors (GM) has been on the rampage in Europe. The attacks were directed at the three German Opel plants in Rüsselsheim, Bochum and Kaiserslautern, plus Swedish Saab in Trollhättan. 12 000 jobs are going, the German wages are lowered, working hours are increased – and the only guarantee is that the plants won’t be closed before 2010.
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Sustainable work for a sustainable development
Mar 01, 2005 The Nordic countries don’t particularly stand out when you focus on what factors create a sustainable work place. It’s all about being seen and being heard. It’s about working at a speed you can live with, and with resources and tools good enough for the task at hand. And not least – the work must be meaningful. But in a time of perpetual change, is it really possible to create sustainable work places?
Portrait
Øresund has something to teach Europe
Mar 01, 2005 Peter Kay Mortensen thinks the rest of Europe could learn from the experiences of the Øresund region in Denmark and Sweden. He is chairman of the Greater Copenhagen Section of the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, and one of the driving forces behind the Øresund co-operation.
News
Mobility after the enlargement - too much or too little?
Mar 01, 2005 Ten months after the at least partial opening of the borders for workers from the new EU member states, it is still too early to see whether it has been a positive or negative move for the Nordic countries. Some feel predictions of social dumping have come true. Others are surprised so few have made use of their increased mobility.
News
Nordic Co-operation: Backing increased integration
Mar 01, 2005 An overall relatively small number of people commuted across a border between the Nordic countries, yet in some regions the international commuting was very significant. Those are some of the results from the Nordic Commuting Map 2001, which was published recently. During its 2005 presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Denmark wants to make it easier for people to cross national borders to do a job.
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Norwegians hard to convince they need to work after 62
Mar 01, 2004 To avoid a future total collapse in the Norwegian retirement system, more people have to work for longer. That is the main message from the Norwegian Pension Commission. But how realistic is it to expect those between 62 and 66 to continue working? And do employers really want them?
News
The jigsaw of life…
Mar 01, 2004 Three public authorities in Sweden are co-operating to encourage Swedish employers to make it easier for their employees to combine work with parenthood. As part of a larger campaign, they are now sending out a jigsaw to 6.500 employers, with the question: "Work and family - How easy is it to make the pieces fit at your place?"
News
The hunt for innovation knows no borders
Mar 01, 2004 Today, all countries are seeking the ultimate environment for innovation and creativity. The Nordic countries are looking to each other for help. In January this year the Nordic Innovation Centre, NICe, was established in Oslo. Financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers, its ambition is to make the Nordic countries leading innovators in Europe
Portrait
Siv Fridleifsdottir and the Icelandic chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2004
Mar 01, 2004 She is Icelandic, Norwegian, and a little bit Swedish. She grew up on the outskirts of the only big city in Iceland, in the county of Seltjarnarnes, surrounded by the Atlantic. Her main job is as Iceland’s Environment Minister, and this year she is also a Nordic co-operation minister.
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Finland's special commitment to disadvantaged jobseekers
Mar 01, 2004 A Finnish pilot project providing special services for the long-term unemployed becomes permanent. An ambitious programme will establish 25 so-called employment service centres across the country. It is part of the government's ambition to create 100.000 new jobs during this parliamentary term.
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