Little came out of another meeting last week between business and labour leaders, who are still at odds over whether Norway’s generous sick pay benefits should be reduced. The country’s largest trade union federation LO won’t budge nor will employers’ organization NHO, and another meeting with Norway’s labour minister didn’t help.
NHO has been criticized for refusing to accept defeat over the issue, LO’s leader has also been criticized for refusing to discuss any changes in sick pay rules, and the labour minister for failing to find a solution. Now concerns are rising that the stand-off will harm annual wage and benefit negotiations this spring.
“The fact is that sick pay is under preservation orders at least through the next parliamentary session (which will run from October until June 2029),” noted political commentator Kjell Werner this week. “NHO should recognize that they’ve lost the battle, and follow up with its outstretched hand to LO.”
NewsinEnglish.no staff
