Norway: spotlight on the Working Environment Act

In spite of what has been termed an historic political strike that was held on January 28, 2015 and organized by the three main employee confederations LO (blue collar workers), YS (academics), and UNIO (white collar workers), the Norwegian government has refused to modify the provisions in the Working Environment Act (arbeidsmiljøloven) that have in fact received support from the employers’ body the NHO. The act aims to make temporary employment contracts and working time more flexible.
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The act, all going well, is expected to be voted upon by the end of March and addresses all aspects concerning work. For Robert Eriksson, the Minister for Labor and Social Affairs the goal is to “safeguard security, flexibility, and a favorable work life (family life) balance, as well as ensuring that each person has his/her place because manpower needs are going to rise over the coming years.” The employers’ body (NHO) has welcomed what is for them a long awaited law. “We have been trying for

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