Workers not improving skills
Ten years of effort to get both skilled and unskilled workers to increase their abilities and workplace value have failed. Figures from the labour confederation LO reveal that fewer and fewer skilled masons, painters, carpenters, office workers and social and health assistants are completing further educations. The number remains exactly the same as ten years ago despite efforts by the government and unions to inspire workers to upgrade their skills. LO's head, Einer Holst, called the failure "a social problem that we must solve". – Politiken
Metro offers own noise assessment
Metroselskabet, the company building Copenhagen's Metro, is required to financially compensate neighbours to the construction sites that are disturbed by excessive noise levels. The greater the noise, the higher the compensation. Now, just two days before a commission is to begin deciding which of the more than 30,000 affected households are entitled to payment, the company has presented its own map of what it feels are the affected areas and says it will use that map as the deciding factor as to who is compensated and who is not. Neighbours have cried foul and said that the company is trying to cheat them and reduce its costs. Metroselskabet said the whole thing is a big misunderstanding. – Politiken
Foreign researchers flocking to Denmark
The number of foreign scientists and researchers working at Denmark’s largest universities has grown. In four years, the number of foreign researchers increased by 38 percent at the University of Copenhagen and by 33 percent at Aarhus University. The researchers said that they are willing to battle the bureaucracy and difficulties in obtaining work and residency permits for a chance to participate in what they see as the nation’s high international research and funding levels. – Berlingske
Record number of gang members in jail
Nearly one out of every four registered gang members is currently behind bars. According to figures from the national police, Rigspolitiet, 371 of the nation's 1,635 gang members are cooling their heels in the slammer. Over 150 have been arrested during police actions during the first six months of this year. Police say that the arrests may be contributing to what has been a relatively peaceful period free of gang violence, but offered no guarantee that the peace will hold. – DR
