In Focus
Immigrants in Sweden queue up to work in Denmark
While Copenhagen suffers labour shortages, Malmö has high unemployment. But for many third-country nationals on the Swedish side of the border, Danish work permit requirements are so high that cross-border commuting is made impossible. This issue is a priority for the Freedom of Movement Council, while an EU project is also looking for solutions.
Not easy for Norwegians to do the Swedes’ dirty laundry
It is not always easy to do business across Nordic borders when you are self-employed. It costs both time and money, as the owners of laundry service Trysil Vask og Rens experienced when daring to cross the border into Sweden.
Freedom of Movement Council rids Nordics of some 90 border barriers
Since 2014, the Nordic Freedom of Movement Council has helped get rid of nearly 90 border barriers between the Nordic countries. But the Council members are not running out of work – there are still plenty to get on with.
Border barriers a hot topic in “Little Iceland”
At Jónshús, a culture house for Icelanders in Copenhagen, border barriers have become the topic of the day. Top themes: securing a bank account and claiming child benefits.
Can the Nordic labour markets survive the green transition?
Nearly one in three Nordic citizens worry they might lose their jobs because of the green transition, according to a new Nordregio survey. How can the social partners work together to make the transition as fair as possible? That was the theme during the Nordic dialogue conference in Iceland.
Nordic employers’ important role in the green transition
When we talk about the Nordic labour market model, it often revolves around how high the unionisation rate is. However, it is equally important that employers are organised if good agreements are to be made.
The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise on Nordic cooperation
How does the Nordic cooperation on the employers' side look today? The Nordic Labour Journal asked the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise to answer a list of questions and got the following answers from their Press Secretary Olle Bring.
The Tesla strike – a fight for the Swedish model
A drama is taking place in the Swedish labour market. The trade union IF Metall is taking industrial action to get EV maker Tesla to sign a collective agreement. Elon Musk, one of the world’s richest people and Tesla’s main shareholder, refuses. After many sympathy actions from other trade unions, he is taking the Swedish state to court.
Was the Reykjavik tripartite meeting the start of something new?
Did it turn into just another of the thousands of meetings around the world on the green transition? Or did something more happen as Nordic politicians, employers and trade unions met in Reykjavik on 1 December? The Icelandic Presidency had great ambitions for this meeting.
The Nordic Council worries about lack of experts in the labour market
The Nordic Council believes now is the time to fight for Nordic youths’ future. Their exclusion from education and the labour market, alongside a lack of specialists, worries politicians. The Nordic Council is also taking steps to address the increase in cruise ship tourism.
Swedish Education Act amended to match labour market needs with education
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.
Norway faces tough competition for green expertise
Norway lacks the necessary competencies for a successful green transition. The Vocational School in Oslo is trying to do something about it.
Sweden’s bus driver shortage puts breaks on society
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
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
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"
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.
Sweden’s emergency shelters “back in fashion”
After a long period of obscurity, Sweden’s emergency shelters are back in the spotlight as the government proposes to spend over 18 million euro in next year’s budget on an upgrade, while also training the rescue services in an effort to strengthen the civil defence.
Drones and mini-subs strengthen Norway’s Coast Guard’s preparedness
The Norwegian Coast Guard has started using mini-submarines and drones to improve preparedness during critical situations.
The future of the Nordics depends on journalism
Journalism plays a crucial role in how the Nordic countries face current and future challenges. What, where, when, how and not least why must be reported by independent media employing well-informed journalists. The keywords for the Nordic Journalist Centre are knowledge sharing and networks.
Why Swedish medical students flock to Latvia
Nearly 800. That is how many of Riga's medical students come from the Nordic region’s largest country. The Nordic Labour Journal went to meet one of them.
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