All Articles — Nordic Labour Journal

The ILO’s Deborah Greenfield: In dialogue with the Nordics on gender equality

(Dec 15, 2016) Deborah Greenfield was part of the transitional administration from Bush to Obama. Now, as the Deputy Director General, she is about to take the ILO into a new era. Meeting Nordic labour ministers, Deborah Greenfield is impressed with the discussion.

Jyrki Katainen: Populism threatens stability and risks increasing unemployment

(Dec 15, 2016) The EU Commission’s Vice-President, responsible for jobs, growth, investments and competitiveness, is attacking populism, praises the circular economy and defends the EU Pillar of Social Rights in an interview with the Nordic Labour Journal.

Everything is connected – also the Nordic region

(Nov 16, 2016) Nordic cooperation for 2017 has been given title: A Europe in transition needs a strong Nordic Region. So what is needed to build and promote the region? More sharing of knowledge? Greater focus on the Nordic welfare model? Greater focus on which values that the Nordics choose to follow? Is a more authoritarian labour market a choice the Nordics will make?

NIB’s Henrik Normann – the welfare sector needs a bank director too

(Nov 16, 2016) Henrik Normann heads one of the most successful Nordic institutions, the Nordic Investment Bank. It is celebrating 40 years in business, and was founded with capital from all of the five Nordic countries.

Why did Iceland do so well?

(Nov 16, 2016) From the crisis hit in 2008 until 2011 Iceland experienced the greatest income redistribution in Europe. It is common to think that cuts are needed to deal with economic crises. Iceland is an example of the opposite. Welfare works better than cuts, claim the researchers behind the report Welfare consequences of financial crises.

How do you integrate last year’s refugees into the labour market?

(Nov 16, 2016) Refugees represent a different type of group compared to labour immigrants. The integrating of last year’s record number of refugees to the Nordic region will therefore probably take longer than for labour immigrants. There is also a risk that labour market integration runs into problems after five to ten years, warned researches at a Nordic seminar held in Oslo.

The Nordic region – not cheaper, but smarter?

(Oct 14, 2016) Smart solutions are often digital. Digitalisation is central to how society develops and it affects our lives in completely new ways. How does this development work in practice and how is the Nordic region contributing? There are several questions: Can the future become too smart? Do we need to pose more questions? Discuss more?

Elisabeth Vik Aspaker, the government minister in charge of Nordic cooperation in 2017

(Oct 13, 2016) Elisabeth Vik Aspaker is Norway's Minister of EEA and EU Affairs, and the Minister of Nordic Cooperation. She comes from Norway's northernmost county and is used to working across the Cap of the North. She has been an advisor and state secretary in several centre-right governments and is well prepared for 2017. That is when she will be in charge of Nordic cooperation. What will be her priorities?

Do tell! Why do we have it so good in the Nordics?

(Sep 16, 2016) Is our knowledge about the Nordic model about to erode? Are we turning this force of cooperation and labour market relations, the very core of our welfare, into a grand expression without any resonance? Do tell! The Nordic Labour Journal throws a light on the Nordic model throughout this September issue, along with the core values of cooperation, trust and joint decision-making in our theme Protect the trust!

SAK President Jarkko Eloranta: Poorer Finns cannot be a good thing for Finland

(Sep 16, 2016) Since June this year, Finland’s largest trade union SAK has been run by Jarkko Eloranta. In this portrait interview with the Nordic Labour Journal he attacks the government’s labour market politics for its aim of making Finnish labour cheaper.

ILO: The future labour market in dire straits, time for action

(Sep 16, 2016) There is trouble ahead for the future labour market: global growth is falling, jobs are disappearing, employment contracts are changing, inequality is on the rise and the middle classes are no longer growing. But not everything points in a negative direction, and according to Finland’s Minister of Justice and Employment we can influence developments.

Birgitta Forsström – The fresh thinking Nordic region’s working environment director

(Jun 14, 2016) Good leadership is crucial for well-being at work thinks NIVA’s new director, Birgitta Forsström. NIVA now offers courses in health promoting leadership and diversity leadership in addition to more traditional themes. This is how she wants to create new Nordic arenas for training in the working environment area.

Editorial: The psychosocial challenge

(May 20, 2016) The story about Kristján from Iceland in this month’s theme illustrates how exposed young people often are in working life. When the Nordic Labour Journal shines a light on the psychosocial working environment, the story widens out. The theme shows how organisational changes are needed and how systematic efforts can turn sick leave figures on their heads.

Åland’s Premier Katrin Sjögren: Multi-talented law maker

(May 20, 2016) The Liberal Katrin Sjögren has been the head of Åland’s autonomous government since November last year, and the challenges are queuing up. Cuts are needed everywhere, Åland’s largest factory is threatened with closure and a high profile wind power project looks set to get blown away.

Fighting poverty in EU – a tale of five cities

(May 20, 2016) The European Union made the combat against poverty and social exclusion one of its main goals in 2008. 20 million vulnerable people should be helped to a better life by 2020 in a coordinated effort, according to the European Commission. The main tool would be active inclusion. But its easier said than done.

Where to now, Nordic Region?

(Apr 19, 2016) During the Nordic Council’s Session in Oslo on 19 April new border obstacles are being debated. Border controls for travellers from Denmark to Sweden could be introduced for those travelling in the opposite direction. The Nordic Labour Journal follows the debate, and takes a look at the basic challenge: What is being done to integrate refugees and immigrants into the labour market?

When the welfare state falls short: Is social entrepreneurship the solution?

(Apr 17, 2016) Social entrepreneurship and social innovation could help develop the Nordic welfare models, says Norway’s Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion Anniken Hauglie. These are issues she would like to promote when Norway takes on the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2017.

Carola Lemne: Optimist on behalf of Swedish businesses

(Mar 22, 2016) Carola Lemne is first among equals at The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and spokeswoman for 60,000 small and large companies. Her recipe for better inclusion of newly arrived people into work is cutting costs for employers. Lower pay and lower tax leave both employers and employees better off.

Gender equality important to parents and generals alike

(Mar 04, 2016) Last year Denmark got its first female leader for the confederation of trade unions, and Norway got its first female chief justice of the supreme court. There are still a few positions of power not yet held by a woman among the 24 which the Nordic Labour Journal measures. But the only position never held by a woman in any Nordic country is commander-in-chief.

Kristin Lund: No shortcuts to gender equality in the armed forces

(Mar 04, 2016) Major General Kristin Lund from Norway is the UN’s first female commander of a peacekeeping force. She believes there will be a female commander-in-chief in one of the Nordic countries within four years.