Why Nordic co-operation?

The Nordic labour markets share many common characteristics. Nordic salaries and working conditions are quite considerably regulated by collective bargaining agreements. Unions and employers are also very much involved in drafting legislation, in particular legislation governing the labour market. This model has helped develop a Nordic labour market characterised by a high degree of equality, security and consensus. The model has also played a crucial role in the evolution of the Nordic welfare society as we know it today. This shared model provides a particularly positive framework for learning from each others' experiences.

The many common features also give the Nordic countries a good starting point for co-operation in international forums which deal with labour market issues. These include, for example, the EU/EEA and the UN's International Labour Organisation, ILO.

Outcomes

The Nordic countries entered into an agreement on a fully integrated labour market in 1954. In the agreement the Nordic countries agreed to co-operate on full employment and to expand the Nordic workforce. In 1989, agreement was reached for co-operation on the working environment. The objective is to work for a better, healthier and safer working environment.

The Nordic countries set up a joint Nordic institution for advanced training in the field occupational health (NIVA ) in 1982. NIVA offers training at advanced Nordic and international level for researchers and specialists from many different countries. It also offers training in North/West Russia and the Baltic States.

Since 1985, the Nordic countries have co-operated on an exchange project Nordjobb for young people in the Region. Nordjobb finds young people summer jobs in other Nordic countries at standard pay and working conditions. It also provides accommodation and a comprehensive cultural and leisure programme during the stay.

In conjunction with EU enlargement in 2004, the Nordic labour and employment ministries agreed to set up a joint Nordic monitoring process to evaluate the consequences of immigration and migrant labour from the new member states. The ministers discussed the results until late 2007. The reports provided important information on the challenges posed by immigration, and the solutions chosen by the individual countries.

What does co-operation mean for you?

The joint Nordic labour market is fully integrated. This means that Nordic citizens are entitled to live and work in other Nordic countries without having to apply for a work or residence permit. In comparison, in the EU's internal market EU/EEA citizens only have the right to reside freely in another EU/EEA country for three months and a for maximum of six months if they are actively seeking work. A residence permit to prolong a stay will only be granted by the host country if certain conditions are met.

Nordic co-operation on working life also means that any Nordic worker employed in a neighbouring state will find working conditions and a working environment are more or less the same, which makes it easier to adjust.

Researchers and specialists can benefit from the joint pool of Nordic knowledge about the working environment field and improve their qualifications on advanced training courses at NIVA.

Youngsters aged 18-28 can learn about the labour market and the culture of other Nordic countries by finding a summer job through Nordjobb.