Labour Market — Nordic Labour Journal

Leaders' lack of knowledge about the Norwegian model threatens competitiveness

(Apr 11, 2024) Anyone who wants to lead a Norwegian business should understand the Norwegian model. But far from all leaders do, according to Ketil Vedøy, who has spent more than 20 years as a top leader within HR and management. He participated at the launch of this year’s Medbestemmelsesbarometer (Joint decision-making barometer) at OsloMet/AFI.

Midwife – a norm-breaking profession for Swedish men

(Mar 25, 2024) The Swedish labour market is very gender segregated. But some go against the grain. Like the men choosing to become midwives.

Border barriers – a Sisyphean task?

(Feb 03, 2024) In both the Nordic region and the EU, there is a rising number of complaints about the open labour market not being as open as we thought. Is this a warning sign, or is it a consequence of people moving more and businesses expanding their operations?

Aiming for full mobility in the Nordic region’s largest labour market

(Feb 02, 2024) The Öresund Bridge is 25 next year, yet despite the good commuting opportunities it offers there is still a way to go before the Nordic’s largest labour market is fully integrated. This year, Sweden holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and greater mobility in the Nordic region is a top priority.

Sweden will celebrate the common Nordic labour market in 2024

(Dec 06, 2023) As Sweden takes over the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers next year, it will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the common Nordic labour market. A Nordic-Baltic meeting on fighting workplace crime is also scheduled.

Young and older people in the Nordics face the same employment barriers

(Dec 01, 2023) People outside of the labour market often face many employment barriers, and these are often the same for both young and older job seekers. This should be better reflected in the Nordic countries’ employment policies concludes a new report.

How do we make the right predictions for the future of work?

(Nov 06, 2023) The Nordic labour markets are doing well. Several of the countries are seeing record employment rates. Meanwhile, there are major changes to how and where jobs are being performed. Global trends like digitalisation and climate change mean new professions and skills are needed. How do we future-proof our education programmes?

Swedish Education Act amended to match labour market needs with education

(Nov 06, 2023) The current imbalance between supply and demand in the upper secondary education system will be addressed. The aim is to make it easier for young people and adults to access the labour market and improve the welfare and business sectors’ access to skilled labour.

Finland still tempting, but many Estonian workers are returning home

(Nov 06, 2023) Estonia’s capital Tallinn is a charming city that boasts both medieval sights and rapid development. Not much remains from its period as a Soviet republic. Crossing the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn only takes a couple of hours.

Northeast Iceland's manyfacedet labour market

(Nov 06, 2023) María Pálsdóttir throws out her arms and exclaims: “Welcome to the hospital!” Dressed in an old-fashioned nurse’s uniform, her joy and enthusiasm are almost out of place. We are, after all, visiting an old sanatorium. This is the story of “the white death” – the tuberculosis that hit the island hard.

Russian rubles in the Faroe Islands’ economy

(Nov 06, 2023) People on the Faroe Islands are holding their breath these days. At least those working in the pelagic fishing industry. So far this year their export to Russia has been worth 800 million Danish kroner (€107m). Now it might all end, as the Russian fisheries authority has recommended an import ban on Faroese fish products.

Nordic preparedness put to the test

(Sep 26, 2023) Rarely has the scout motto been more apt than right now. When the leader says “Be prepared!” the scouts answer “Always prepared!”

Sweden’s bus driver shortage puts breaks on society

(Sep 26, 2023) Good bus connections are crucial for many commuters. But no buses can run without bus drivers. Now, Sweden’s transport sector organisation warns a lack of drivers could have serious socio-economic consequences.

Norwegian helicopter school warns pilot shortage threatens preparedness

(Sep 26, 2023) Helicopters come to the rescue when extreme weather stops cars and trains. But who will pilot the helicopters in the future? Now several helicopter pilot trainers are warning of poor recruitment figures.

The fragmented working day of a bus driver

(Sep 26, 2023) Bus drivers come and go. One who has remained in the job is Stefan Andreasson. He got his bus driver’s license 35 years ago and has been driving public transport buses for the same number of years. Now he drives regional buses and a library bus in and around Helsingborg.

Norway needs better flood defences after extreme weather "Hans"

(Sep 26, 2023) Norwegian companies believe we must expect more extreme weather. The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise NHO wants more and better preparedness measures. The clean-up after "Hans" means a lot of work for the infrastructure construction industry but less capacity for the construction of new public buildings like schools and care homes.

Billion-euro CO2 capture plan could herald new Danish jobs

(Sep 26, 2023) Denmark expects new jobs and growth in the wake of the government’s plan for the capture and underground storage of Danish and foreign CO2 in Denmark. Danish businesses have suggested using some of the captured CO2 in new, climate-friendly production processes which could lead to more and better jobs.

Finland’s new government wants major changes to labour law

(Sep 26, 2023) A new centre-right government started governing in Finland on 20 June after winning April’s elections, and there is now talk of an historic paradigm change. Petteri Orpo’s four party coalition wants to make major changes in the labour market.

The need to facilitate mobility in the Nordics

(Aug 22, 2023) “My ambition is to make commuting within the Nordic region as unhindered by red tape as possible, both for the worker and the employer. And cross-border commuters should be able to work from home without it having consequences for the amount of tax they pay.”

More culture, less bureaucracy – the keys to a more mobile Nordic labour market

(Aug 22, 2023) By 2030, the Nordics should be the world’s most integrated, sustainable and competitive region. The open Nordic labour market is key to fulfilling that ambition. But mobility is low and may need to be stimulated by administrative and cultural measures, according to recent research.