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The increasing informalisation of the labour market is a consequence of profound economic, political and social changes and can be understood as a structural conflict between new economic trends and older frameworks and regulations. 

Migrant workers, that is people who have moved to another country in search of work, are an important source of labour for several sectors in the Nordic countries. At the same time, research shows that this group is being exploited, particularly in labour-intensive sectors such as construction, hospitaliy, services, logistics and transport, and horticulture and agriculture. Foreign-born women in this group are often in a particularly vulnerable situation. 

For many people, working conditions have become more precarious, temporary and flexible in recent decades, particularly affecting the low-skilled and low-paid sectors where many migrants work. Not least, this means that many live in severe economic vulnerability and are often completely outside welfare and other social protection systems. 

Many of these working lives do not fit into the Nordic self-image, which is characterised by notions of welfare, equality, security and work-life balance. The informalisation of the labour market and the precarious living conditions that go with it are a challenge to the Nordic welfare model and to society as a whole. 

What is a fair and just working life? We analyse research on informalisation of the labour market in the Nordic countries, contribute with new perspectives and build collaboration with other actors. 

Project duration: January 2025 - December 2026 

Target groups: Decision-makers, researchers and other actors working on issues related to working life 

We collaborate with: 
various actors working on issues related to working life 
 
 

Published on the subject