NORWAY | A mass strike of Norwegian hospitality workers has been on strike for a week, protesting unfair employment conditions.
The Confederation of Norwegian Employers and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (Fellesforbundet), the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (NHO Reiseliv), Parat and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (NHO Reiseliv) had until midnight on the night of 19 April to agree on the forced mediation with the National Mediator. After having mediated for six hours overtime, the Confederation of Norwegian Employers and Parat broke off the mediation, thereby sending 1,922 employees from 113 companies on strike from 12 noon on Sunday, 19 April.
“We have worked hard throughout the mediation to reach a solution, but unfortunately, it was not possible. The parties were too far apart this time,” said Magne Kristensen, negotiation leader and director of employment policy at NHO Reiseliv.
Kristensen said it was impossible for the employer to agree to the other party’s demands.
“During the negotiations, demands were made for advance payments of sick pay, parental benefits and care benefits. This is a very difficult demand for employers. We understand that people are dependent on receiving their sick pay quickly, but this is the state's responsibility and cannot be shifted onto companies,” said Kristensen.
“Sick pay is a public welfare scheme. When it does not work well enough, it is the state and NAV that must sort it out, and it is completely unreasonable to shift this public responsibility onto employers. Advance payment of sick pay can be challenging for all companies, but especially for small and medium-sized companies.”
He added that this can put a heavy strain on liquidity, it can also result in direct losses, and it requires a lot of administration. These are administrative resources that small and medium-sized companies do not have, and do not have the opportunity to have.
“Many of our companies have very low margins. At the same time, they face strong price increases, high electricity prices and a large tax and duty pressure, and the turbulent world situation reinforces the uncertainty. A responsible collective bargaining agreement is
therefore crucial to securing jobs in turbulent times.”
Organised workers have been on strike from 12 noon, Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions has announced the resignation of 1,627 employees in 105 different companies. Parat has laid off 295 employees at eight companies.
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