Arbejderne

Arbejderne, meaning “the workers” in Danish, refers to people who earn wages through paid labor. It is used as a social category in sociology, history, and political discourse, and historically denotes primarily manual or industrial workers, though it has broadened with changes in the economy to include workers in various sectors.

In the 19th century, industrialization and urbanization contributed to the growth of organized labor in Denmark. Trade unions formed to defend wages, working hours, and safety, and a worker press and political organizations emerged. The workers’ movement played a central role in Danish politics, contributing to the rise of social-democratic ideas and the development of the welfare state in the 20th century, with the aim of widening social protection and democratic participation for the population.

In modern usage, arbejderne remains a common reference in discussions of class and labor rights, but it is less precise as a demographic category because the Danish workforce has become increasingly diverse and includes migrant workers, part-time and temporary workers, and white-collar employees who share similar interests with workers in certain contexts. The term is frequently encountered in historical analysis, labor sociology, and political rhetoric, where it emphasizes collective rights, collective bargaining, and the influence of the working class on policy and society.

See also: arbejderbevægelsen (the labor movement), Socialdemokratiet (the Social Democratic Party), and trade unions.