News — Nordic Labour Journal

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.

Aluminium, Jobs and Environment

(Oct 01, 2002) Six hundred new jobs in a small fjord in eastern Iceland can save a community facing difficult times. This is the point of view of local people in the East fjords who now have high hopes that an aluminium plant will be built in Reydarfjördur in the nearest future.

In Hillerød they sleep at work

(Oct 01, 2002) Employees work better after an afternoon nap, which is a good thing both for them and for their employer.

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.

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.

Nordic men want equal opportunities

(Nov 01, 2001) It's a myth that Swedish and Norwegian men only take paternity leave so they can go deer hunting. Research shows that men have the same reasons as women, according to the Nordic men's conference in Copenhagen.

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.

Co-operation and competition for success

(Nov 01, 2001) Gnosjö is home to one of Sweden's most successful industrial regions and, paradoxically, also one with the lowest level of education.

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.

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.