News — Nordic Labour Journal

Finland’s new Minister of Employment faces tough choices

(May 27, 2025) Finland has changed its Minister of Employment mid-term. Matias Marttinen replaces Arto Satonen as head of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Both represent the National Coalition Party.

Swedish strip club lost the first round

(May 27, 2025) The ban on night work for employees at the strip club still applies, despite the fact that they created a trade union that entered into a collective agreement with the club’s owner, Flirt Fashion AB, for an exemption from the Working Hours Act.

From cable factory worker to Norway’s LO President

(May 27, 2025) Kine Asper Vistnes is moving from her position as deputy leader of Norway’s United Federation of Trade Unions to becoming the President of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions – one of Norway’s most powerful positions. With LO’s support, she will fight for a red-green election victory this autumn.

Inga Sæland: From benefit recipient to government minister

(Apr 30, 2025) In Iceland, as in many other countries, politicians have done various things before going into politics. It is common for lawyers, journalists and company leaders to enter parliament for various parties.

New Danish legislation to tackle social dumping on construction sites

(Apr 30, 2025) Bigger fines and immediate shutdowns of construction sites. These are tools that the Danish parliament has granted the Danish Working Environment Authority to fight social dumping in the construction sector, which employs a rising number of immigrant workers who sometimes put their own lives at risk.

A "Laval 2.0" case underway before the Swedish Labour Court?

(Apr 30, 2025) Can Swedish trade unions take industrial action against foreign companies to make them pay occupational pensions for their posted workers? That is the question in a new case before the Swedish Labour Court, which bears similarities to the notorious Laval case that had far-reaching consequences for the Nordic countries.

Nordic employment services adopt AI in reform drive

(Apr 30, 2025) A new OECD report shows how all the Nordics are adopting artificial intelligence in their employment services, albeit at different paces and with varying strategies. Four out of the five countries are also rolling out extensive reforms.

12 recommendations to get more people in vulnerable groups into working life

(Feb 26, 2025) The need to increase labour market participation among vulnerable groups in the Nordics has long been high on the Nordic Council of Ministers’ agenda. A new report points to flexibility, individually tailored support and cooperation with employers as the key to success. NAV employees in Trondheim are already on the ball.

Greenland’s labour market partners defend the Nordic model

(Feb 26, 2025) Employees and employers in Greenland are presenting a united front in defence of the Nordic model at home but assess the threat from the USA differently.

Nordic police cooperation – from policy to reality

(Feb 26, 2025) Criminal networks operate where there is money, across borders. A new police station on the actual border between Norway and Sweden will soon be inaugurated, and in Malmö, there is an operations centre staffed by both Danish and Swedish police.

Karen Ellemann: Nordic cooperation more important than ever

(Jan 30, 2025) The Arctic has gone from being a region characterised by peaceful cooperation to a geopolitical flashpoint. This week, the Nordic Council of Ministers launched its tenth Arctic programme during the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø. It allocates 30 million Danish kroner (€4m) over three years to strengthen social, economic and environmental sustainability.

The Nordics lag behind in the fight against economic crime

(Jan 30, 2025) Economic crime is a threat to the Nordic welfare societies, warned this year’s conference on the black economy. The fight against creative and innovative criminals needs more resources and better legislation, the trade union movement argues.

Collective bargaining – where exactly does the EU stand?

(Jan 30, 2025) Will there be any real change when the EU now aims to promote collective bargaining at all levels – or is it just pretty words? This was one of the questions discussed at a Nordic conference on current EU issues at the end of 2024.

Could we ask for your help? Take part in our survey!

(Jan 30, 2025) We would like to improve the websites for Arbeidsliv i Norden and the Nordic Labour Journal and would very much appreciate if you took time to answer some questions.

Icelandic fisheries risk zero capelin catch for the second year in a row

(Nov 25, 2024) Capelin has been one of the most valuable species for the Icelandic fisheries industry and general economy this past decade. Its importance has varied, but throughout this century capelin products have accounted for 17 per cent of fisheries exports and 8 per cent of the market value, making it an important part of the industry.