In Focus
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.
LAMPA – Latvian democracy festival with Nordic inspiration
To strengthen democratic conversation culture through the exchange of ideas and by seeking understanding between people of diverse opinions. That is the purpose of the Latvian LAMPA festival, which has grown bigger each year since its inception in 2015.
Estonia and the Nordics – from aid to equal cooperation
At the Nordic Council of Ministers’ office in Tallinn, they will happily tell the story of how the Estonian President Lennart Meri regularly used to visit the information office in 1991.
Ukrainian women in Lithuania: We want to work for our country
Many well-educated Ukrainian women who have fled with their children to Lithuania struggle to find skilled work. Now, with the support from the Nordic Council of Ministers and others, women are getting the knowledge and tools they need to rebuild their country once the war ends.
New energy in cooperation between the Baltic Sea countries
A new wind is blowing for the cooperation on greener energy and security in the Baltic Sea region, believes Denmark’s ambassador to Lithuania.
Scandinavian data centres: fewer jobs and less profit than forecast
New data centres are popping up in Norway and Sweden along with a lot of hope for many new jobs and high returns.
A metro from Malmö to Copenhagen
The majority of Copenhagen’s political parties recently agreed to assess how a new line on the city’s metro system could be run to Malmö in Sweden. A decision is yet to be taken on another permanent link between the two countries – there are several alternatives.
Which is the best alternative?
The Nordic Labour Journal put the same question to the project leaders for the three proposed new links between Sweden and Denmark. This is how they argue for their alternatives.
Kjell-Arne Ottosson: Wants faster train connections and new Council of Minsters
The Nordic Council unanimously declared five years ago it wanted to create a council of ministers for transport and infrastructure as part of the Nordic cooperation. But so far the countries’ prime ministers have not picked up on this, despite major infrastructure investments inside and between the countries.
Jump on the bus: Iceland’s bold new transport plan
In Iceland, plans for a new public transport system to connect the capital region's population is being met with both excitement and criticism. Some 250,000 people live in the Capital Area (Reykjavik and the five municipalities in the region), which is roughly two-thirds of the country's entire population.
Working on the Baltic Sea – long shifts and a close community
The ferries between the Nordics and the Baltics are important transport corridors and keep a lot of people in employment. One of the boats doing the crossing is Aura Seaways, where 52 crew live and work for four weeks at a time.
Electric planes herald new traffic patterns in the Nordics
Electric planes might do more than reduce CO2 emissions. They could also open up a new category of commuting with new, shorter routes. Electric planes would also bring new jobs to manufacturing and at smaller airfields.
Finland's largest industrial project finally finished
The Olkiluoto nuclear power plant has been called a forever project. The first two reactors were built in the 1970s. Now the third reactor has come online, after more than 30 years.
Denmark's 50 years long tug-of-war with the EU
Denmark is the EU veteran among the Nordic countries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Denmark joining the EC, as it was called back then. And during all these years, the Danes – with increasing difficulty – have fought to maintain their labour market model. Now, they have run out of patience and the tug of war has culminated with Denmark trying to have the minimum wage directive ruled invalid.
Norwegians still largely negative to EU membership
It is nearly 30 years since Norwegians voted no to EU membership for the last time – so far. The chances for another referendum are slim.
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