An article by Paul Marginson and Jon Erik Dølvik addresses developments in collective wage bargaining arrangements in northern Europe in the light of two major political-economic challenges: EU eastern enlargement and the financial and economic crisis which broke in 2008. They draw on findings from five countries and four sectors.

The analysis undermines the proposition that developments exhibit a common liberalising trajectory, amongst other by finding no uniform trend in national and sectoral policy responses, nor in wage inequality outcomes.

This report, conducted in collaboration between Fafo and ILO, highlights issues related to employment, income, economic conditions, and prospects for the immediate future amongst Iraqi workers. In addition, the assessment addresses the effects of the pandemic on the country’s small-scale enterprises, including how they are adapting to the challenges that the pandemic presents and the implications for their employees.

The report is part of a series of the effect of COVID-19 in the Arab world, following similar reports on Jordan and Lebanon.

This article, co-written by Jon Rogstad, explores the relationship between labor market discrimination, stereotypes and employers’ experiences with immigrant workers. The article finds that experience – or lack thereof – matters distinctively when considering applications from immigrant workers.

Thus, Norwegian employers seemed to update their attitudes, which implies their decision making is flexible, allowing positive experiences to influence hiring decisions. At the same time, their consideration seems to be quite sensitive to negative experiences.