Theme: The Nordic Region and EU
Photo: Mikael Sjöberg
Europe takes on social injustice – does the Nordic region show the way?
The social pillar has been missing from Europe’s development. The Gothenburg summit presented a new future. Not everyone enjoys the result, and there are differences of opinion within the Nordic region too. When national interests are at stake, and businesses say no, you get disagreements.
How can the EU’s social pillar be turned into reality?
The EU summit in Gothenburg was a success for the Swedish hosts, but what will the social pillar mean for Europe’s citizens?
The people and trade unions take EU to task over the social pillar
With a mix of slogans from the trade union movement, cinnamon rolls and sweets, the Swedish government, led by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, tries to present the EU from a different perspective. During the social summit in Gothenburg the social partners were literally sitting around the same table as prime ministers and EU Commissioners.
Employers: EU’s social pillar threatens the Nordic model
Nordic employers fear the EU’s new social pillar could undermine the Nordic model for the labour market. They intend to defend the model tooth-and-nail. That fight will be necessary, predicts a Danish labour market researcher.
Norway launches initiative against work-related crime during EU summit
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg seized the moment at the EU summit on social rights. She launched an offensive against work-related crime. Norway offers to work with an EU country to develop a more efficient control system.
The Faroese's tense relationship to the EU
50,000 people live in the Faroe Islands. There are 500 people in the EU. But do the Faroese want to be members in the big club and cooperate? The answer is a bit like the wind blowing across the stormy islands – it goes in all directions. Everyone wants closer cooperation, yet what that means depends on who you ask.
Matilda af Hällström, entrepreneurial Nordic Council lobbyist in Brussels
It is an active 24-year-old which the Nordic Council has chosen to be its first local representative in Brussels. Matilda af Hällström is already busy finding out how the Nordic Council can improve its cooperation with the EU and within the EU.
Newly arrived depend on social networks to find jobs
70 percent of newly arrived people in Sweden found jobs through social networks, compared to the 16 percent who found jobs via the employment service. The employment gap between native Swedes and those born abroad is still wide, however. It is particularly hard for people those with no upper secondary education, and for women.
Sweden: New jobs model for refugees and long-term unemployed
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) have reached an agreement in principle to make it easier for refugees and long-term unemployed to find jobs in Sweden. To make the agreement binding, both organisations’ affiliates must accept it. It is also dependent on public financing of parts of the workers’ wages.
Katrín Jakobsdóttir tipped as Iceland's new Prime Minister
Iceland’s Left-Green Movement (VG) won Iceland’s parliamentary elections in late October. Party leader Katrín Jakobsdóttir will most probably become Prime Minister in a coalition government. Katrín would be the country’s second female head of government after Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir.
Nordic Council Helsinki session: Promising deeper labour market cooperation
The 69th session of the Nordic Council in Helsinki had a celebratory air as Finland was marking its centenary as an independent nation. Labour market issues formed a common thread throughout the session.
Continuing education gets huge push from Danish government and social partners
The Danish government and the social partners have agreed to spend nearly 2.5 billion Danish kroner (€335m) on continuing education for more workers. The agreement has broad political backing, but one labour market expert wonders whether it goes far enough.
The Nordic Labour Journal – also on Facebook
You can now access news and debates about the Nordic labour market on Facebook. The Nordic Labour Journal highlights trends and policies, and also stories from working life
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