News — Nordic Labour Journal

Iceland: The parental revolution

(Sep 01, 2005) The image of parent and child doesn't necessarily involve a woman any longer in Iceland. For almost five years fathers in Iceland have been able to take paternity leave, and from day one they have made the most of it. This has been the largest step Iceland has taken towards gender equality. But there are still examples of employers who don’t follow the law.

The Danish model: Inspiring growth

(Sep 01, 2005) The combination ease of dismissal and job and economic security in Denmark has become a big success: 30 percent of Danish workers change jobs every year,unemployment is low, and Danish employees are the most content in the world. Now both employers and employees want to promote the Flexicurity model in Brussels.

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.

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.

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.

Voluntary early retirement not too expensive

(Mar 01, 2004) A new report shows the myths surrounding Denmark's early voluntary retirement pay scheme stem from misleading facts, and that savings can be made from other areas in society.

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?"

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

Women on the board - threat of quotas makes the debate pick up pace

(Nov 01, 2003) In both Norway and Sweden, legislation is underway for the purpose of placing more women on the boards of private companies unless trade and industry, on its own initiative, increases the women’s share of these positions. Despite the strong presence of equality rights in the Nordic countries, this has still to reach the boardrooms.

Book in review: Managing Workplace Health

(Nov 01, 2003) The EU takes the notion of the global network-society seriously and, it seems, finds a network to fit every good cause.

A free labour market demands practical solutions

(Nov 01, 2003) “We shall spare no efforts to make the Nordic and the Baltic countries the best when it comes to integration within the EU. Not until then may we influence the other member states, and further broaden the common labour market.”

Swedes at the top

(Nov 01, 2003) In the ongoing debate, Swedes tend to be portrayed as suffering from illness most often, compared to the rest of Europe. “That’s totally wrong!” says Paula Liukkonen, Senior Lecturer of Business Management, who has carried out extensive research on personnel policy and working environment.

The house on the borderline

(Nov 01, 2003) Some 40,000 individuals commute between Sweden and Norway. For the purpose of assisting the commuters, a “Border Service” was established one year ago at Morokulien, between Kongsvinger in Norway and Arvika in Sweden. The “Border Service” offers guidance to which rules apply in each country, and shows one result of a unique cooperation between the county employment services in both countries.

The fight against increasing sick leave

(Nov 01, 2003) Sweden and Norway are well off compared to the rest of Europe when one considers the living standard, the working environment, social security and average life expectancy. The economy of these societies is threatened, however, by ill health and overwhelming numbers of sick notes.

Weekend in mid-week

(Oct 01, 2002) Three days’ work and three days off is a model that is increasingly being tried out in Sweden, especially in the health service and care of the elderly.