Portrait
The spirit of Iceland - Big cars and Big Spenders
Oct 01, 2002 The statistics of Iceland are remarkable. It stands out among the Nordic countries. It is the country with the highest employment rate (for women too), the lowest unemployment rate, the highest working age, the longest life expectancy, the highest birth rate and the lowest sick leave rates. Why is that? Where's the magic?
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The labyrinth of maternity leave benefits
Oct 01, 2002 For the past two years in a row, the UN Development Programme has awarded Norway the best place to live in the world based on its quality of life index. With 10-12 months paid maternity leave, free prenatal care and delivery, and extra child care benefits once the baby is born, who could argue.
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Well-being at work
Nov 01, 2001 Nordic efforts to improve working environments are now beginning to show results. Tarja Filatov, Finland's Minister of Labour, has brought the attention of the Nordic Council to the economic significance that a good working environment can have for businesses and the national economy.
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Kongsberg: Working together for growth
Nov 01, 2001 By investing in networks, partnerships and closer co-operation between research and private industries, Norway intends to concentrate on growth and innovation over the next ten years. This initiative, entitled "Value Creation 2010", was launched at a conference in Kongsberg at the end of October.
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Need for closer co-operation on labour force mobility between Nordic and Baltic countries
Nov 01, 2001 Ministers of labour from the Nordic countries and Baltic states have agreed to increase bilateral and multilateral dialogue and the exchange of views on common labour market policy issues actively and on all levels.
Portrait
Council of Nordic Trade Unions: Full steam ahead?
Nov 01, 2001 Free movement of labour is a major benefit, affording the opportunity for increased economic growth and welfare. That much is undisputed. "But, it is important that we are well-prepared to meet the changes and that we are aware of the possible knock-on effects," says Sture Nordh, Vice-President of the Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS).
tema
The Nordic Model - will it survive?
Nov 01, 2001 At the start of the 1990s, the question was asked whether the Nordic model could survive. Many employers claimed that collective agreements and central bargaining were not flexible enough to provide industry with favourable enough terms. The level of organisation among employees fell. Wage earners, too, advocated many individual solutions. But the model has proved to be more resilient than many believed.
tema
Sweden: The Activity Guarantee
Nov 01, 2001 Being unemployed for long periods is neither good for one's self-confidence, health or psychological state. If you cannot find a job quickly, your chances of finding a job lessen. Sweden is currently making a big effort to get the long-term unemployed back to work.
tema
Norway: Investing in Grey Gold
Nov 01, 2001 Norway is making a conscious effort to encourage more older people to stay in work longer. This move is aimed at fighting the myth that older people cannot keep up with developments and making it worthwhile for companies to hold onto their older workforce.
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Targeted measures for the unemployed
Nov 01, 2001 By giving the jobless the 'right and duty' to work, the Danish government has managed to bring unemployment figures down. But, in a new reform, the Danish Minister of Labour recognises that compulsory activation in recent years has gone too far.
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Norwegian partnership for an inclusive workplace
Nov 01, 2001 An "intention agreement for an inclusive workplace" was reached between the government and the Norwegian social partners at the beginning of October. Over the next four years, the parties will work actively towards reducing absenteeism by 20 %, getting more disabled people into work and encouraging people to stay working for longer. The agreement will be reviewed after two years.
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