Sustainable labour market participation

The SUNREM project examines how global megatrends affect labour market participation in remote Nordic regions, with a focus on sustainability. Key megatrends include demographic change, technological progress, climate change and green transition, and globalisation. These trends interact, creating both challenges and opportunities for local labour markets, and their effects vary by sector, skill level, and geography.  

Conceptualising sustainable labour market participation

Sustainable labour market participation means creating conditions that allow people to work effectively now and in the future while supporting their health, skills, and well-being. It involves the interaction between society, organisations, and individuals, and balances the social, economic, and environmental aspects of work.

To understand the concept of a sustainable labour market, the SUNREM partners have developed a conceptual model based on research literature. The model includes a balance between labour supply and demand, good working conditions and a safe work environment, and a temporal perspective extending into the future.

Three key dimensions define sustainable labour market participation:

• Time: now and in the future
  Jobs and skills need to be flexible so workers can continue to contribute over time. This includes opportunities for upskilling and adapting to changes in the labour market.
• Balance between supply and demand
  A sustainable labour market has low unemployment and a good match between available jobs and the skills of the workforce. This ensures that local economies can function efficiently.
• Quality of jobs and decent work
  Work should be safe, fairly paid, and matched to employees’ skills. High-quality working conditions help people remain motivated, healthy, and willing to participate in the labour market.

Sustainable labour market participation requires quality jobs, adaptable skills, a balanced job market, and decent working conditions. When these elements align, workers, employers, and communities all benefit, both now and in the future.

Funded by:

‘Sustainable Nordic Remote Labour Markets (SUNREM)’ is implemented by Nordregio, Fafo, Statistics and Research Åland (ÅSUB) and the University of Akureyri Research Centre. The project is funded by NordForsk under the Future Working Life research initiative (project number 143807).