News
-
Denmark and Sweden’s EU dilemma over minimum wages
Should the government go to the EU Court of Justice to have the directive on adequate minimum wages in the European Union nullified? That question is now being debated in Denmark and Sweden after the directive was adopted with an overwhelming majority. But it is far from given that any of the two countries’ governments…
2 minutes -
“Yellow” trade union struggles to gain foothold in Norway
Krifa claims to be a good alternative to traditional trade unions in Norway, especially as union membership is up among employers but down among employees. Traditional unions feel Krifa is too close to employers and disagree with their anti-strike policy.
8 minutes -
Fiskars – the ironworks village that changed its spots
The Fiskars ironworks was in decline but became a culture and tourism village. Here, the idea of labour has really changed – and it has paid off.
14 minutes
-
Vulnerable young people – how best to find them jobs and a place in society?
What is needed to help vulnerable young people be included in work, education and society? A new report sums up the situation in the Nordics. Here is a spoiler: There is no ”quick fix”.
5 minutes
-
Finland extends parental leave
Three Nordic countries have recently made changes to parental leave. Iceland increased the leave for both parents to six months in 2021, while Denmark and Finland made changes this summer.
3 minutes -
Labour market policies a challenge for Swedish government negotiations
Labour market issues were overshadowed by crime, high energy prices and immigration in the run-up to the Swedish election. As the centre-right block tries to negotiate a government platform supported by the Sweden Democrats, unemployment and public health insurance might be among the political chess pieces.
6 minutes
-
Swedes abroad: Can they really sway an election?
Every four years a special group of people get attention for a moment of time – the Swedes living aboard. Everyone wants to know how they will vote in the parliamentary elections. It is often claimed that overseas votes “can determine the election” because they are counted so late. But this year there was also…
5 minutes
-
New whistleblower act challenges Sweden’s unique freedom of expression
Freedom of expression is enshrined in the Swedish constitution, and no other country has more far-reaching protection for employees who want to go public with irregularities in the workplace. As a result, expectations of a new whistleblower act were high. Criticism came fast.
6 minutes
-
Iceland’s union chief quits among infighting
The has been an increasing conflict within the labour unions in Iceland for the past few years. Now it has reached a new level as Drífa Snædal, the President of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour, resigned from her post on 10 August.
4 minutes
-
Norway’s labour shortages stretch to “the furthest island”
The lack of qualified labour has become a major problem in many places in the Nordics. In the Norwegian county of Trøndelag unemployment has never been lower. This can also be felt on Frøya, an island of some 5,000 people.
4 minutes