What’s on?
On this page we will shortly inform about some of the things that has been done in order to fulfill the objectives of the Work Programme.
Trade policy
Global economic cooperation and free trade give better results in the
long run than protectionism. Economic growth contributes to new jobs and
a better standard of living in the developing countries and it opens new
opportunities also for Nordic companies. But a condition for this is
that the trade is carried out under fair conditions, with respect for
human and trade unions rights.
The Nordic IN network on Industrial Policy works actively with these
issues, especially through the European and global trade union
federations, which now have put trade policy on their agendas.
Report on India
The network has also produced a report on India, one of the countries
which has had the strongest development, both economically and socially.
In India the companies have access to an abundance of work force, the
wage levels are low, the education system good and fluency in English is
common. Many multinational companies and even many Nordic companies,
have therefore established themselves in India.
At the same time as the prosperity has grown, there exists a great
poverty in India. A lot ot people live under unsecure conditions. They
work in the informal sector, for very low wages and under miserable
working conditions.
How will India develop? What will happen when it comes to women and
equality, class structures, competence levels, wages? What can Indian trade unions do? How can Nordic and European trade unions
contribute?
Read more in the Nordic IN report A look at incredible India
Innovation policy
The network on Industrial policy is supporting development of the industrial capacity of innovations, by means of
- spreading examples from the company level
- showing the relation between the innovation work at company level and the national and European innovation policies
This is done through exchange of experiences between the Nordic members of the network, as well as with the other countries in the European federations.
The network is also trying to establish cooperation in innovation matters in a social dialogue with CEEMET and other European employers’ associations.
Below are examples of work done by some of the affiliates.
Technology
Barometer. Instruments för mesuring citizens’ attitudes and
the nation’s orientation towards a knowledge-based society (TEK)
A
Policy for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Growth (Sif/Unionen)
Let's
get more creative! About creative climate and innovative
capabilities (Unionen)
Financing by Private Equity Funds
Financing by Private Equity Funds is a matter that has been on the trade union agenda lately. This kind of venture capital is characterized by investments made in companies that are not listed on the stock exchange and by an active - though limited in time - involvement from the owners.
How this type of financing affects the survival of a company is discussed more and more. The experiences of the affiliates vary.
Below are some reports on private equity funds.
A
Workers’ Guide to Private Equity Buyouts (IUF)
Where
the house always wins. Private Equity, Hedge Funds and the new
Casino Capitalism (ITUC)
Hedge
Funds and private Equity – a critical analysis (PSE, Socialist
group in
European Parliament)
Energy and environmental policy
Energy- and environmental matters are also on the agenda of the Nordic, European and global trade unions. When it comes to energy the affiliates of Nordic IN have agreed about the importance of
- investment in new capacity for producing electricity
- a better functioning Nordic energy market
- improved energy efficiency in the industrial sector, as well as in households and transportation sector
- environmental investments which create new jobs
The network on Industrial policy will also deal with the matter of climate change and sustainable development, partly in connection with the initiative from the European Commission in January 2008 on climate action and a renewable energy package.
A starting point in this work will be to protect the competitive
power of the European industry, but also to point out that investments
in for example energy saving technology and in renewable energy
technology could give Nordic industries development and exportation
opportunities.
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