One of the top priorities for Nordic co-operation on industrial relations is to follow up on the state of the Nordic labour-relations model and the challenges posed by an increasingly globalised labour market and business environment.

The aim is to continue to improve the balance between flexibility and protection for wage-earners, as well as to promote gender equality and combat discrimination on the labour market. This will enhance the Nordic labour market's ability to adapt to new circumstances.

A further priority is to help make the Nordic labour market even more attractive through combating “social dumping” and the unacceptable grouping of wage-earners based on their background.

In order to preserve and refine the Nordic labour-market model and enhance its ability to adapt, it is particularly important to follow developments in EU labour law and to co-ordinate a joint Nordic approach in negotiations relating to EU initiatives.

One ongoing multi-sectoral priority will be the prevention and removal of obstacles to cross-border freedom of movement on the Nordic labour market, with the aim of promoting geographic mobility, increasing flexibility and making the Region a more attractive place to work.

Another multi-sectoral priority is co-operation with the Adjacent Areas.