– More than 600,000 people are currently out of work and education. Many of them want to work, and we must give them the opportunity. People need to use their abilities and strengths in community with others. And the community needs them, says Minister for Employment and Inclusion Tonje Brenna (Ap).
On Friday, she released the Labor Market Report with the title “A reinforced work line – more people in work and fewer people on social security”. The government has set itself the goal of getting 150,000 more people into work by 2030.
It is crucial to be able to provide welfare services at the current level also in the future that more people contribute with the workforce they have – even if they do not have the opportunity to work 100 per cent. It provides more hands at work and greater tax revenue when the proportion of elderly people increases dramatically in the years to come.
– We are particularly concerned about the approximately 110,000 young people who are out of work and education. That is why we are coming up with completely new measures, which have never been tried before, in addition to the fact that we want to do more of what we know works, says Brenna.
More wage subsidy
Table of Contents
- 0.1 More wage subsidy
- 0.2 Opens part-time
- 0.3 The FRP and the Conservative Party criticize
- 0.4 LO supports, Red disappointed
- 1 Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: **Norway’s Ambitious Goal: 150,000 More People in Work by 2030**:
- 2 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions for the title: **Norway’s Ambitious Goal: 150,000 More People in Work by 2030**.
Table of Contents
Several of the measures the government is proposing to get more young, insured and disabled people into work – full-time or part-time – involve employers covering part of the costs of employing them – primarily through increased use of the wage subsidy scheme. It means that the state covers a proportion of the wages of the new employees:
* Establish an experiment with a four-year wage subsidy for vulnerable young people. It will contribute to increased predictability for employer and employee, the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion believes.
* Trials with a new, work-oriented youth programme, where young people receive income security and where impaired health is not an entry condition.
* Trials in selected municipalities to test how they can use wage subsidies, both temporary and permanent, to a greater extent.
* More permanent wage supplement as an alternative to disability benefit.
Opens part-time
– We have everything to gain by getting people who are on the outside into work. It is good for the individual, and it is necessary for society. Work provides an income to live on. Work gives belonging. Work promotes equality, integration, reduces inequality and counteracts poverty. Work finances our common welfare, says Brenna.
Brenna also advocates for increased and extensive use of labor market measures so that more people who are out of work will get a qualification. training and tailored offers and help to get into work.
Similar to what Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum said when he presented the perspective report recently, the government is not as hostile to part-time – in those cases where people with challenges have to choose between not working at all and making use of the work capacity they have for to work a little.
It is “important to recognize that a flexible and inclusive working life must provide the opportunity for adapted participation for those who need it, including through part-time positions for people with reduced working capacity,” the report says.
The FRP and the Conservative Party criticize
The labor market report is a serious slap in the stomach from Brenna, believes labor policy spokesperson Dagfinn Olsen in the Progress Party. Rather than a tougher line of work, which Olsen believes Brenna has announced, he says the report creates “inflation in investigations, assessments and knowledge acquisition”.
– The new rhetoric from the Minister of Employment and Inclusion has only been a game for the gallery to get more votes. It is very worrying at a time when more and more people are outside the working world, says Olsen.
The right-wing think it’s good that “after three years the government finally comes up with something that addresses the fact that almost 700,000 people are out of work”, but that’s where the praise stops.
– For the time being, I cannot see the government taking the very big steps needed to ensure that young people are not parked on disability benefits. The message looks very bureaucratic and lacks important measures that the Conservative Party has, among other things, proposed – such as having a general rule not to provide disability insurance to those under 30 and to carry out a major labor reform in Nav, says deputy leader and labor policy spokesperson Henrik Asheim.
LO supports, Red disappointed
– Now we must ensure that both the public and private sectors provide jobs and that the jobs with wage subsidies become permanent jobs for the employee, says LO leader Peggy Hessen Følsvik.
The policy Brenna draws up supports LO’s most important goal: Full employment. It is absolutely necessary “to use everyone’s resources”, believes Følsvik.
– Some need more assistance and facilitation from the community, this applies especially among young people, says Følsvik.
Rødt, on the other hand, is disappointed that the government does not increase the amount disabled people can work without receiving a reduction. The free amount is just under NOK 48,000. If you earn more than this, your disability benefit is reduced.
– Today, it hardly pays to work for many who receive disability benefits, and a higher free amount will therefore get more people into work, says Storting representative Mimir Kristjansson for Rødt.
#government #people #work #cover #cost #employers
2024-09-07 17:57:15
Norway’s Ambitious Goal: 150,000 More People in Work by 2030
In a recent Labor Market Report, Norway’s Minister for Employment and Inclusion, Tonje Brenna, announced an ambitious goal to get 150,000 more people into work by 2030. This initiative aims to tackle the country’s significant issue of unemployment, where over 600,000 people are currently out of work and education. The government recognizes that many of these individuals want to work and contribute to society, and it’s crucial to provide them with the opportunity to do so.
Addressing Youth Unemployment
The report highlights the concerns surrounding the approximately 110,000 young people who are out of work and education. To address this issue, the government is proposing new measures, including increased use of the wage subsidy scheme to encourage employers to hire more young, insured, and disabled individuals. This includes experiments with four-year wage subsidies for vulnerable young people, trials with a new work-oriented youth program, and increased use of wage subsidies in selected municipalities.
Flexible Work Options
The government is also advocating for more part-time work opportunities to allow people with reduced working capacity to contribute to the workforce. This flexible approach recognizes that not everyone can work full-time, but still wants to make a difference. According to Brenna, “Work provides an income to live on. Work gives belonging. Work promotes equality, integration, reduces inequality and counteracts poverty. Work finances our common welfare.”
Criticism and Support
The Labor Market Report has received mixed reactions from opposition parties and labor organizations. The Progress Party and the Conservative Party have criticized the report, stating that it lacks concrete measures to get young people off disability benefits and into work. On the other hand, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) has expressed support for the report, acknowledging the importance of using everyone’s resources to achieve full employment.
Norway’s Thriving Economy
Despite the challenges, Norway’s economy remains strong, with a low unemployment rate of 69.6% of the population (15-74 years) employed, as reported by EURES Member information [[3]]. The country has a high standard of living and a strong social welfare system, making it an attractive destination for international workers. In fact, there are currently over 10,000 job openings in Norway, as listed on LinkedIn [[2]].
Conclusion
Norway’s ambitious goal to get 150,000 more people into work by 2030 is a significant step towards addressing the country’s unemployment issues. By providing support and incentives for employers to hire more young, insured, and disabled individuals, the government aims to reduce unemployment and promote a more inclusive workforce. With its thriving economy and strong social welfare system, Norway is well-positioned to make progress towards achieving full employment.
Sources:
Norway’s Ambitious Goal: 150,000 More People in Work by 2030
Norway’s Minister for Employment and Inclusion, Tonje Brenna, has announced an ambitious goal to get 150,000 more people into work by 2030. This goal is part of the government’s effort to provide welfare services at the current level in the future, despite the increasing proportion of elderly people in the coming years. The government recognizes that more people need to contribute to the workforce, even if they cannot work full-time, to provide more hands at work and generate greater tax revenue.
The Current Situation
Currently, more than 600,000 people are out of work and education in Norway. Many of them want to work, but lack the opportunity. The government is particularly concerned about the approximately 110,000 young people who are out of work and education. This is why the government is introducing new measures to get more people into work, including increased use of wage subsidies, trials with a new work-oriented youth program, and more permanent wage supplements as an alternative to disability benefits.
Wage Subsidy
One of the key measures proposed by the government is to increase the use of wage subsidies to encourage employers to hire more people. This means that the state will cover a proportion of the wages of new employees, making it more attractive for employers to hire people who may not have been able to work full-time otherwise. The government is also proposing to establish an experiment with a four-year wage subsidy for vulnerable young people, trials with a new work-oriented youth program, and trials in selected municipalities to test how they can use wage subsidies to a greater extent.
Opens Part-Time
The government is also recognizing the importance of part-time work for people who may not be able to work full-time. This includes people with reduced working capacity, who may need to choose between not working at all and making use of the work capacity they have to work a little. The report emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for adapted participation for those who need it, including through part-time positions.
Criticism from the FRP and the Conservative Party
However, the labor market report has been criticized by the Progress Party and the Conservative Party. Labor policy spokesperson Dagfinn Olsen in the Progress Party believes that the report creates “inflation in investigations, assessments and knowledge acquisition” rather than a tougher line of work. Olsen argues that the new rhetoric from the Minister of Employment and Inclusion has only been a game for the gallery to get media attention.
Support from LO and Disappointment from Red
On the other hand, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) has expressed support for the government’s ambitious goal. LO believes that the goal is important for creating more jobs and reducing inequality. However, the Red Party has expressed disappointment with the report, arguing that it does not go far enough in addressing the root causes of unemployment.
Norway’s Employment Laws
Norway’s employment laws aim to promote labor force participation and reduce unemployment. The laws cover various aspects such as employment contracts, working hours, annual leave, maternity leave, discrimination, trade unions, and dispute resolution [[2]]. The government’s active labor market policy (ALMP) aims to shorten periods of unemployment, encourage labor force participation, and promote sustainable employment[[
