The post was co-written by Ragnhild Lied (chairman Unio Norway and deputy NFS), Jorunn Bærland (Chairman YS Norway), Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson (Chairman LO Sweden), Eva Nordmark (Chairman TCO Sweden), Göran Arrius (Chair Saco Sweden), Lizette Risgaard (Chairman LO Denmark), Bente Sorgenfrey (chairman FTF Denmark), Lars Lindquist Gaard (chairman Akademikerne Denmark), Jarkko Eloranta (chairman FFC / SAK Finland and NFS), Antti Palola (chairman STTK Finland) Sture Fjäder (chairman Akavas Finland), Gylfi Arnbjörnsson (chairman ASI Island), Elin Björg Jonsdottir (chairman BSRB Island), Magnus Gissler (General NFS).
In the wake of the financial crisis, become more difficult to make important decisions within the UN system, the world trade organization and in other international institutions. The consequence of this is that informal gatherings between the G20 countries have become increasingly important and that important decisions in practice already adopted within the formally be made in the international bodies. The countries that are not in the G20, will therefore settle for spectator space and lose important leverage. It also applies to the Nordic countries, which individually do not qualify for space in G20.
The agenda as G20 works with, has also become wider, from questions of strictly financial nature to such employment. And just employment is the topic of discussion for the G20 group’s work ministers at the meeting in Peking 11.-13. July but without Nordic presence.
The Nordic countries, however, has all the prerequisites to seek a closer cooperation with the G20. Get inhabitants despite – hardly 26 million – is our region the world’s twelfth largest economy. In addition to a strong tradition of participation in international organizations, which we perceived as a coherent region who often think alike, want equal and voices equally, we also have a strong intergovernmental cooperation through the Nordic Council of Ministers.
In a globalized world, the foreign trade of great importance, especially for small and open economies. This applies supremely us in the Nordic countries. We have shown that it is not only possible to combine economic growth and competitiveness with a comprehensive welfare state and high economic equality, it is also desirable. The Nordic model has received attention of, among others, the OECD and the World Economic Forum, as a flexible model of society with better conditions for managing crises than many other models.
The source of flexibility can be found in the organized labor. Among the countless lists from which Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden holds top positions in such equality, cohesion, optimism and happiness, there is a special list where Nordic lights as a lone beacon in the firmament. In the free world, we have the world’s highest academic degree of organization. Our own Nordic umbrella, Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS) collect no less than 9 million members. Two out of three employees are affiliated to one of the 400 unions in Scandinavia. Only Belgium can compete with every other wage earner union.
Fagbevegelsens strong position in the Nordic countries set high standards for responsibility, with us and with our counterpart. An important part of the Nordic model and the organized labor function is in fact an equal interaction between strong, independent parties and negotiations based on trust, responsibility and pragmatism.
The high professional organization level has led to the Nordic countries have a relatively low degree of labor legislation. Instead regulated labor party through collective agreements and understandings that includes everything from payroll and human resource development restructuring program and pensions. Appointment periods vary, but crucial is that there is peace obligation during the contract period. While model gives employers negotiation and flexibility, adding the words foundation for a sustainable and predictable labor market with high job security, wages by collective agreement and decent working conditions.
Unlike cumbersome parliamentary legislative processes involves the Nordic model, with negotiated rules and relatively low level of legislation in the labor market, the Nordic economies and labor markets are flexible and easy to maneuver. Along with an overall wage – which promotes high productivity, structural changes and restructuring – this gives our region a good chance to deal with financial crises and the growing global competition.
The model is not only reactive in the sense that it responding to competition from elsewhere. It is also an engine that drives a competitive Nordic come. Good welfare benefits, a generally high level of education, decent employment with fair wages and good balance between work and leisure contributes to equality, cohesion, happiness and optimism. This is the basis for creative and productive employees, the same employees that create competitive businesses – yes, here is we also list the top. Perhaps that is why that Spotify last year announced that all of their employees worldwide, should have at least 6 months of parental leave? In the Nordic region has long been a privilege, and in the labor movement, we are delighted therefore that the business community is striving to export, not only music, but also parts of the Nordic model.
We in the Nordic labor movement believes however, that if the Nordic model really should be a model, we can no longer content ourselves with spectator space, arouse curiosity or export selected parts of the model. We must be present at the G20 meetings at an early stage to influence international decisions in the direction of equitable distribution -through a sustainable, inclusive and equitable workplace. It is the core of the Nordic model and make the Nordic Region a natural voice in the G20.
We therefore urge the Nordic governments and the Council of Ministers to immediately seek influence in the G20. The world needs us and we need the world.
Council of Nordic Trade Unions, NFS, is an umbrella organization for pretty much the whole Nordic trade unions and collects thereby 9 million trade unionists. In Norway, LO, Unio and YS members in NFS.
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