News
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Lack of manpower – a problem for all
Sergo Teider-Lastikka says it makes no real difference that his countrymen will soon be free to seek work in Finland, when the country opens her border to workers from the new EU member states. He has not seen much of the limitations which have been in place for the past two years either.
3 minutes
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Foreign workers in Iceland — living on the fringe of society
One out of four men living in Eastern Iceland is a foreign citizen. The majority of the foreigners come from Poland, work in large-scale industry and live isolated from the Icelandic population.
3 minutes -
Renewed vigour for working life
Denmark enjoys EU’s lowest unemployment rates among the young, but too few take higher education. NLJ explores how to get the young going by ”leading them by the hand”.
7 minutes -
The Danish model: Inspiring growth
The combination ease of dismissal and job and economic security in Denmark has become a big success: 30 percent of Danish workers change jobs every year,unemployment is low, and Danish employees are the most content in the world. Now both employers and employees want to promote the Flexicurity model in Brussels.
5 minutes
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Iceland: The parental revolution
The image of parent and child doesn’t necessarily involve a woman any longer in Iceland. For almost five years fathers in Iceland have been able to take paternity leave, and from day one they have made the most of it. This has been the largest step Iceland has taken towards gender equality. But there are…
6 minutes
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“Flexicurity more luck than planning”
The Danish flexicurity model is more luck than strategic planning, says Kongshøj Madsen, professor of labour market research. He is optimistic, and thinks the Danish tradition of combining flexibility and work security is the model which secures the best development.
2 minutes -
Norway pushes ahead with boardroom equality
1 July 2005 was the deadline for the Norwegian business world to voluntarily make sure there is at least 40 per cent of each gender in company boardrooms. Only 17 per cent of companies have managed that. For the others, the demand will no longer be voluntary. It will be the law.
5 minutes
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Innovation: More than just a good idea
European employment policy has, in recent years, turned more and more strongly towards innovation. For high cost countries, the continuous cost-cutting improvements of existing products, services and processes is no longer sufficient to maintain employment and income. On this, there is little disagreement.
7 minutes -
Warning of a black work market
There is a clear risk of increased social dumping in the extended Europe. Wages differ widely, and labour laws are interpreted in many different ways. That is why Niklas Bruun, professor of labour law at Sweden’s National Institute for Working Life, wants to encourage European countries to actively fight the emergence of a black labour…
6 minutes -
Mobility after the enlargement – too much or too little?
Ten months after the at least partial opening of the borders for workers from the new EU member states, it is still too early to see whether it has been a positive or negative move for the Nordic countries. Some feel predictions of social dumping have come true. Others are surprised so few have made…
6 minutes