25 September 2012

Insiders and outsiders - the scope of the Danish model of labour market regulation

FAOS held a seminar Thursday 30th of August 2012


A growing number of Danish employees and employers are no longer covered by the Danish bargaining model that regulates wage and working conditions on the Danish labour market.

Unions find it increasingly difficult to recruit new members and an increasing number of employers and employees are not covered by the collective agreements. In relation to the Danish bargaining model, these groups can be considered as outsiders. By contrast, the employees that are covered by a collective agreement and are union members can be considered insiders as they are guaranteed certain wage and working conditions.

Is the growing number of outsiders a problem for the Danish bargaining model? – And for whom is it a problem? Are those not included in the model per se disadvantaged? And what types of challenges do social partners face when an increasing number of Danish employees willingly or unwillingly are excluded from the model.

At the seminar Trine P. Larsen, Steen E. Navrbjerg and Nana W. Hansen presented some of the main conclusions from the co-edited book by researchers from FAOS entitled: Insidere og outsidere – den danske models rækkevidde (in Danish only).

The book highlights the collective agreement coverage and the union density among specific groups of employees. The book also analyses the challenges and opportunities that the Danish labour market model may face in the long-term.

After the presentations, a panel discussion took place with representatives from the social partners in Denmark.


The speakers at the seminar: Insiders ans outsiders - the scope of the Danish model of labour market regulation. Photo: Steen Kelså. 2012.