Work Life 2000

Bengt Knave

How are new jobs created? What characterizes a good working life? These are the main themes of a major, and different, international conference on issues in working life which is to be held in Sweden.

The circumstances for economics, business, and politics have altered dramatically. The rate of production is increasing and new technologies and new applications are introduced evermore frequently. New forms of work and organisation are emerging. This development is occurring almost simultaneously throughout the industrial-ised world. Globalisation is a fact.

The implications are enormous for individuals. Unemployment rates in most EU countries are high, and working conditions are affected by rapid development.

This process gives rise to many complex issues and presents us with new challenges. We need policies in our work life that reinforce the ability of people to meet these challenges, and dealing with these successfully is not only important for individuals. It will also determine whether or not we can ensure the competitive strength of companies and countries through flexible ar-rangements for further education, skills develop-ment, and life-long learning.

For the individual, such progress makes stricter demands on education, specialisation, and flexibility. We know that the modes of employ-ment are changing. The number of temporary assignments and short-term jobs is growing. Many people suffer from stress and insecurity, while others, with the right education and job mobility in the labour market, are enjoying new opportunities.

At the same time, we have many traditional problems in our work life. Hierarchical struc-tures constantly re-emerge. People get injured and their health deteriorates. Health risks with chemicals, accidents, strain-related injuries, allergies... the causes of concern have not diminished. Familiar problems must be solved at the same time as new issues receive more attention and their share of research.

Conference in 2001

As Sweden prepares to assume the chairmanship of the EU, we wish to bring the problems of modern work life to the fore. Early in the year 2001, a conference will be organised with the theme of the work life. The conference will be endorsed by the Swedish Government.

The aim of the conference is to lay the foundation for decisions on issues in working life. It is going to be based on the latest scientific findings. The Conference, called Work Life 2000, will target policymakers, government representatives, public agencies, labour market parties, business organisations and other interested parties.

60 international workshops

Prior to the conference, the most recent research findings will be compiled through a unique process: Leading researchers will gather in approximately 60 different international work-shops to illuminate all aspects of working life. In this way, the organisers hope to initiate a broad and deep discussion on the development and revitalisation of our work life.

The workshops will be held under the auspices of the National Institute for Working Life, the National Board of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Joint Industrial Safety Council. The five main topics are labour market, work organisation, work environment, small and medium-sized businesses and information technology. Within the scope of these topics, workshop topics will range from flexible work and just-in-time-employment to the impact on working life of the high prevalence of respiratory disorders and allergies.

The workshops are being held from 1997 to 2000. As of July 1998 four workshops have been held. Most of the workshops will occur during the last part of 1998 and during 1999. They are organised in different European countries: Belgium (Brussels), Denmark, England, Holland, Ireland, Spain and Sweden.

After each workshop a summary will be pub-lished in a form accessible to the general public. These summaries are available by subscription.

For more information contact.......

Arne Wennberg
Secretary-General of the Work Life 2000 Organising Committee
National Institute for Working Life
S-171 84 Solna, Sweden
telephone: +46 8 730 9071
telefax: +46 8 27 01 48
email: arne.wennberg@niwl.se

Bengt Knave
National Institute for Working Life
SE-171 84 Solna, Sweden
telephone: +46 8 730 9407
telefax: +46 8 27 01 48
email: bengt.knave@niwl.se