News — Nordic Labour Journal

Cognitive health part of new Swedish work environment strategy

(Nov 16, 2021) Do you juggle all the balls at once rather than focus on what you should be doing? Or do you prioritise and concentrate on what is the most pressing task? Today’s labour market is really testing our cognitive capacity. More and more of us come down with cognitive ill health.

New Icelandic employers' organisation while trade union chair resigns

(Nov 16, 2021) It has been an eventful month for the Icelandic labour market. On the employer’s side, representatives of smaller companies formally founded a new association to further their interests, since they believe that they are not properly looked after elsewhere. At the same time, the chairman of one of the largest trade unions in the country resigned after accusations from union employees of bullying.

Iceland received the most refugees per capita in 2020 among the Nordics

(Nov 01, 2021) Immigration to OECD countries fell by 30% in 2020 to 3.7 million people. That is the lowest level since 2003. Denmark, Finland and Norway received fewer asylum seekers per capita than the OECD average, while Iceland and Sweden took in considerably more.

New Swedish delegation to fight work-related crime

(Oct 13, 2021) On 27 September, the Swedish government took another step in the fight against work-related crime when it presented a delegation tasked with increasing knowledge about the issue while supporting the authorities working to stop it.

Labour shortages all around, including in the Danish film industry

(Oct 13, 2021) It is hard to find tradespeople who have time for new projects and the Danish film industry is short of everything from actors to scriptwriters. Businesses are asking the government for more foreign labour.

Why Iceland's wage increase outstrips the rest of Europe

(Oct 13, 2021) In August, Iceland's monthly wage index increased by 0.3%. The index had then risen by 7.9% in the last 12 months, which is more than in most other European countries. The increase from the first to the second quarter of this year was 8.1%, the third-highest in Europe.

NIVA restructured its entire business in one month and got flush with cash

(Oct 13, 2021) The Nordic institution NIVA, with headquarters in Helsinki, organises courses within the field of occupational health and safety for participants in and outside of the Nordic region. When Corona hit, NIVA managed to cancel all future courses and replace them with online versions – all in one month.

Nordic vision zero for workplace accidents inspires world congress

(Oct 13, 2021) The Nordics have considerable influence in the international debate on work environments. That was also evident during the 22nd world congress on work environments and security, held from 20 - 23 September in Toronto, Canada.

A death blow for the social dialogue as a constitutional mechanism in the EU?

(Oct 04, 2021) The European Public Service Union EPSU lost on all points, while EU Commission’s claim was upheld – arguing it was not obliged to execute or carry forward new agreements that have been added to the social dialogue for decisions in the Council of Ministers, writes the latest issue of EU & Arbetsrätt.

Many Norwegian nurses are planning their escape

(Sep 08, 2021) Heavy workloads, poor working conditions, low pay and a feeling of not being appreciated means seven in ten nurses in Norway have considered leaving over the past 12 months.

Denmark's stricter requirements cut refugee employment rates

(Sep 08, 2021) A tougher immigration policy in Denmark has had the exact opposite effect of what it intended to have, a new analysis shows.

Gathering around the kitchen table

(Sep 08, 2021) The huge increase in remote work during the pandemic became a challenge for families where several people needed a workplace or place to study at home. Surprisingly, the length of people’s ordinary commute and the size of their homes are not factors that impact much on their desire to work from home. Something else means much more.

The Swedish model entering a new era: more power to central organisations

(Sep 08, 2021) It has been described as a victory for the Swedish model. Yet the employment act reform now being proposed by the Swedish government is in reality a structural shift where central labour market organisations will gain greater power at the expense of their affiliated unions. It also changes the division of responsibilities between the state and the social partners, on which the Swedish model is based.

Will Sweden's new Employment Act fall foul of government crisis?

(Jun 29, 2021) In early June the Swedish government presented its contribution to a reform of the Employment Act and added 11 billion kronor a year to cover retraining and studies. Then the government crisis happened and the question now is what will become of the difficult labour protection issue.

Call for joint Nordic sanctions against countries behind cyber attacks

(Jun 29, 2021) Nordic countries’ cybersecurity skills are improving, but what happens when an attacking country is identified? On 30 June, the Nordic Council will debate proposed joint Nordic sanctions in the case of cyberattacks. The proposal already has support among Norwegian researchers.