News — Nordic Labour Journal

Nordregio: Young Icelanders shy away from traditional occupations

(Nov 24, 2015) Icelandic youths are not interested in a future career in agriculture or fisheries. The only animals they will consider looking after in the future are pets. They would rather become coaches or work in the fitness sector, according to a fresh study from Nordregio which has mapped the future perspectives of young people in the Arctic.

Has EU gender equality policy lost its momentum?

(Nov 19, 2015) Yes, reckons Finnish researcher Johanna Kantola. The EU Court of Justice, meanwhile, is having a positive impact through judgements which could also have major consequences in the Nordic region, according to Kirsten Ketscher, Professor of Social Security and Welfare at the University of Copenhagen.

Cross-border education at the Cap of the North extended

(Oct 23, 2015) Since 1991 Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian youths on at the Cap of the North have been able to meet and get vocational training under the auspices of Utbildning Nord (Education North) — a unique cross-border education strategy. On 19 October the scheme was extended until 2019.

Stress and time pressure a challenge to Nordic work environments

(Oct 23, 2015) Time pressure is a considerably higher psychosocial risk factor in Nordic businesses compared to the rest of Europe. Nordic businesses also highlight a lack of time as the main obstacle to a good work environment.

New proposal for improved control of posted workers’ terms and conditions

(Oct 22, 2015) Tearing up Lex Laval would improve the terms and conditions for foreign workers in Sweden according to the Posted Workers Committee review of Lex Laval, which was presented to Sweden’s Minister for Employment Alva Johansson on 30 September.

Nordic comparative report: Youths loosing their footing

(Oct 22, 2015) The share of youths who loose their footing is increasing in all of the Nordic countries. Although youth unemployment is a major problem, decision makers should make a more concerted effort to identify and support those most at risk.

Danish unemployment benefit reform around the corner

(Oct 21, 2015) Denmark's more than century old unemployment benefit system is being modernised. Considering the reactions to the proposal for a more flexible system from the commission on unemployment benefits, political negotiations will be tough.

Norway: Government to strengthen measures aimed at youths

(Oct 17, 2015) Unemployment is growing in Norway, especially among young people. The government’s 2016 budget proposal includes a youth package aimed at preventing more young people from falling outside of education and working life.

Unity needed to deal with EU pressure on the Nordic model

(Sep 29, 2015) Adjustments and unity will be needed to maintain the unique Nordic collective-bargaining model. That was the assessment from Denmark’s Minister for Employment, Danish EU politicians and the social partners at a conference in the wake of a new report about the Nordic collective-bargaining model and the EU.

The Nordic region’s remote areas need a dynamic employment policy

(Sep 29, 2015) “Whether unemployment is high or low, it is crucial to have a concrete and dynamic employment policy which can withstand the changing economy. Employment is key for a society’s long term survival, especially in small societies.”

Sweden tightens public procurement rules

(Sep 29, 2015) Swedish authorities could become obliged to make sure that public procurement suppliers pay their employees in line with collective agreements. A government appointed commission has just suggested how this could work.

OECD: Big increase in number of foreign born doctors and nurses

(Sep 29, 2015) Over the past ten years the number of nurses and doctors who have moved to one of the 38 OECD countries has risen by 60 percent. The number of foreign born doctors now makes up nearly one third of all doctors in Sweden and one in four doctors in Norway.

Time pressure bigger work environment issue in the Nordics than rest of Europe

(Sep 29, 2015) Psychosocial risk factors are identified as the main challenge by the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work in their second major survey of work environments in European countries.

Complicated relationship between EU and Nordic labour law systems

(Jun 22, 2015) The courts have acquired a greater role in the labour law system at the expense of politicians and the social partners. And knowing what the law actually means is becoming so difficult for employers and trade unions that the rule of law is under threat, argue the authors of a new book from the Nordic Council of Ministers.

New portal for Nordic jobs

(May 13, 2015) Today jobseekers in the Nordic countries must apply to the individual countries’ employment services which advertise jobs in their own individual languages . Now a new service aims to make it easier to find jobs.