Labour unions hail court victory

Norway’s Supreme Court had the last word in a long-standing battle between Norwegian shipyard employers and trade unions when it ruled this week that foreign guest workers are entitled to the same wages and rights as permanent employees. The industry voiced concern over its future competitiveness related to higher costs, while labour officials hailed the [...]

Oil fund won’t exclude PetroChina

The Norwegian government is ignoring a recommendation from a state ethics council that it ban investments by Norway’s oil fund in the Chinese oil company PetroChina. Meanwhile, a Chinese shipbuilding company is making inroads on Norway’s west coast. The ethics council, which reviews investments made by Norway’s huge sovereign wealth fund, had recommended that PetroChina [...]

Government aids shipyards

Norwegian shipyards, most of them specializing in the offshore industry, are facing an acute order shortage. The government forked over promises of more financial aid late last week. “Fully 17 of 29 shipyards in Norway will be without orders in just a few months,” said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who fears the yards will need [...]