The Committee has put forward a new proposal to the Nordic governments for an inclusive, sustainable and flexible labour market in the Region. The aim is that nobody should be excluded from the labour market during their working life.

"Far greater flexibility is needed throughout our working lives," said the Icelandic chair of the Welfare Committee, Siv Friðleifsdóttir. "We go through different stages of life during our careers, so employers must be flexible."

Friðleifsdóttir quoted IKEA boss Ingvar Kamprad, who believes that one-third of your life is wasted if you do not enjoy job satisfaction.

The Welfare Committee lists five measures that the Nordic governments ought to implement, including devising parameters for the concept of a sustainable working life. The Committee is also calling for a broad inter-sectoral conference on youth unemployment in the Region and increased mobility in Nordic labour and education markets.