The central authorities in the Danish labour market model are the Department of the Ministry of Labour, the National Labour Market Authority and two directorates, an appeal board as well as
councils and committees made up of representatives of the social partners. It is the responsibility of these bodies to implement the labour market and working environment policy.
The Ministry of Labour is the supreme policy-making and administrative authority in labour market matters. The Minister of Labour is advised and assisted by the Department of the Ministry of Labour which is headed by a Permanent Secretary. In addition the Department comprises 8 divisions and a Secretariat for International Co-ordination and Labour Market Policy Systems (SISA). Other institutions under the Ministry of Labour are: The Directorate of the Working Environment Service, the National Labour Market Authority, the Directorate of the Unemployment Insurance System. In addition there are some independent institutions, namely the Labour Market Appeal Board, the Public Conciliation Service and the Industrial Court. The most important councils are: the National Labour Market Council, the Vocational Training Council and the Working Environment Council.
The Ministry of Labour is responsible for:
- Labour law matters, including industrial relations, incomes policy initiatives and legislation concerning the Public Conciliation Service and the Industrial Court, the Labour Market Supplementary Pensions Scheme (ATP), the Employees' Guarantee Fund, legislation with respect to salaried employees, holiday legislation, etc.
- The unemployment insurance system, the voluntary early retirement pay scheme and the transitional allowance scheme.
- Working environment regulation (health and safety at work).
- The public employment service and labour market training, including adult vocational training, training courses for unskilled workers, and retraining.
- Employment and training activities, enterprise allowance schemes and programmes for unemployed persons.
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