Precarity in Nordic working life?

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relevance of the concept of 'precarity', understood as work conditioned by a lack of security and predictability, in a Nordic context, and links precariousness to both formal work arrangements and to experiences of insecurity. How is precarization of employment expressed in Norway and Denmark? Is the Nordic model resilient to precarization? Framing the discussion in a global perspective, comparable international statistics on frequently used measures of precariousness confirm the image of the Nordic countries as top of the class. The Nordic model of cooperation between the state, strong employers' associations and relatively strong employee unions is often credited as the reason. However, we argue that the Nordic model is continuously subject to renegotiation. Decreasing union density, increasing individualization, increasing inequality and the consequent polarization of working life pose real possibilities of precarization of work also in the Nordic countries.

Globalization, Work, and Health: A Nordic Perspective

“…The precariat differs from the proletariat in that they are not professionally organized. We present here some atypical forms of employment, further discussed in Eldring and Ørjasæter [ 62 ] and Ingelsrud et al [ 63 ].…”

“…In an international context, the number of employees who are working without a standard job contract and have an atypical connection to the labor market is growing [ 61 ]. This has not yet clearly happened in Norway, but it is developing in certain industries [ 62 , 63 ]. Standing [ 61 ] refers to the people who are (partly) working without standard employment as a new class: The precariat (combining the words precarious and proletariat).…”

Precarious Work in the Nordics

“…Although the Nordic labour markets in general demonstrate comparative high wage levels, generous unemployment protection and high employment rates, there has also been a discussion on precarious work within the Nordic literature on working life (Håkansson & Isidorsson 2015;Ingelsrud et al 2019;Mailand & Larsen 2018;Neergaard 2016). This discussion has focused on identifying traits or aspects of precariousness in Nordic working life, as it is rare to find entire groups of workers, which can be labelled a precariat in the Nordic sphere due to the Nordic welfare states and collective bargaining systems.…”