Theme
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Varða in Iceland: a bridge between trade unions and academics
Iceland’s labour market research institute Varða was set up in February 2020 by The Icelandic Confederation of Labour ASÍ and the Confederation of State and Municipal Employees BSRB. The purpose was to strengthen social and economic labour market research and bridge the gap between academics and the labour market.
4 minutes
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Sweden: most casual jobs and lowest work protection
Sweden has the highest unemployment levels among the Nordics, and also more casual jobs and lower employment protection levels for those on temporary contracts. An award-winning dissertation shows the consequences deregulation has had for people without permanent employment.
4 minutes
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How much independence for Greenland, Åland and Faroes in the future?
Will the Nordic region in the future merge into one single federal state, or will there be eight, instead of five separate nation states?
8 minutes -
Will Greenland get the mining adventure off the ground?
Greenland is about to introduce a range of reforms aimed at creating a well-functioning labour market and a stable framework for foreign investments in industries like mining.
7 minutes
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Collective agreement extensions – the second best alternative?
Why is there so much resistance in the Nordics against the EU Commission directive on minimum wages? The answer is that the countries believe they have a nearly perfect system of collective agreements, so why change something that works? In many European countries where the social partners are weaker, extensions of collective agreements form an…
5 minutes
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“Important to continue the extension of collective agreements”
Many workers enjoy improved conditions thanks to the extension of collective agreements. One leader of a trade union organising fisheries workers believes the solution must continue even though it is not a magic solution.
3 minutes
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Language technology – threats and opportunities
Language technology development has accelerated rapidly. This is important not only for those who make a living from translation – be it interpreters or translators – but for all businesses that have to relate to different languages. Are the Nordic countries ahead of the curve or are the IT giants like Google, Apple and Microsoft…
8 minutes
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Understanding each other – digital services ease cultural exchange
A common digital platform for topical conversations with Nordic profiles could raise awareness about what is going on in our neighbouring countries – just like television once did. New technology makes it easier to cross national borders.
6 minutes
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Norway’s interpreter costs rise, yet interpreters are underused
The cost of interpreter services in the public sector has risen sharply in Norway. In 2019 the total cost was 843 million kroner (€85.3m). In six years interpreter costs have gone up by 72%. But not using qualified interpreters at all can quickly become even more costly. New interpreter legislation could improve the situation.
7 minutes
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Small languages need big language’s help to reach IT giants
Languages that are not used in the digital world will not survive. That is the brutal message which formed the basis for the Nordic language meeting – a two days long conference on the latest development in language technology.
5 minutes