Trade unionist appointed as new Minister of Labour

Ove Hygum, a former leading trade union negotiator, has been appointed as Denmark's Minister of Labour, following the general election in March 1998 at which the Social Democrats retained power.

Following the general election on 11 March 1998, the Social Democratic-led coalition remained in power. The Minister of Labour in the new administration is Ove Hygum who, with a background of 20 years of trade union work and a position as leading negotiator for state employees, has a solid knowledge of labour market policies. Aware of his trade union background, Mr Hygum has emphasised that the Ministry will not be influenced by any particular organisation, but act as a Ministry for the whole of Denmark.

Although the new Government's more specific objectives and means will be elaborated in autumn 1998, two main tasks will dominate the work of the Labour Ministry; the follow-up to the EU employment guidelines agreed in 1997; and initiation of a further reform of labour market policy.

On the issue of employment, it is the Government's objective to be at the "top of the EU class", says the new Minister. In order to meet two of the recommendations made at the European Council's Employment Summit in November 1997 (EU9711168F), the Ministry has to find means to offer a new start to approximately 5,000 young unemployed people. Furthermore, 50,000 unemployed people over the age of 25 are to start training or find jobs. The recommendation that 20% of all unemployed people receive training is already met: of the approximately 600,000 persons who are unemployed at some stage during the year, some 150,000 or 25% participate in training.

With the lowest unemployment rate for 18 years (7.1% or 197,500 people in February 1998) Denmark has a good chance of "topping the class". The Minister is presently finalising the National Action Plan on employment for the European Council meeting in Cardiff in June 1998.