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Jobs news in Norway: Unemployment down with more low-paid workers in private sector

Frazer Norwell
Frazer Norwell - [email protected]
Jobs news in Norway: Unemployment down with more low-paid workers in private sector
Find out about a decrease in unemployment, and more in this weeks roundup. Photo by Israel Andrade on Unsplash"

Every week The Local brings you a roundup of the latest jobs news and talking points related to working life in Norway. This week we’re looking at shrinking unemployment and an increase in low-paid workers. 

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Last call for winter sports jobs

We’re starting this week's roundup with a reminder that time to secure a winter job in Norway is running out. 

Most large resorts and businesses have opened for applications, and many will be finalising their plans for the upcoming winter season. 

Depending on snow production, most jobs will begin in November, either towards the beginning or the end of the month. 

You can read our guide on how to bag a winter sports job here. If you want more specific information on how each resort hires, then check out their individual websites. Hemsedal, for example, has its own web page on seasonal work in the village.

Decline in the proportion of unemployed

Unemployed people made up 4.2 percent of the potential labour force in Norway in July, according to recent figures from Statistics Norway.

This is a drop of 0.6 percent compared to April when the country was at the peak of a Covid-19 wave, and hospitality and shops in parts of the country were shut. 

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Almost a of third workers in the private sector is low-paid

Just under one-third of workers in Norway’s private sector is considered low-paid, according to a report from research foundation Fafo.

The number of low-paid workers is increasing, particularly in construction and catering. Between 2008 and 2018, the proportion of lowly paid workers rose from 25.6 percent to 31.6 percent. 

Fafo categorised a low-paid worker as anybody who earned less than 85 percent of what an average industrial worker does. 

Centre Party and trade union leaders outline changes they want to make to working life

Centre Party veteran Per Olaf Lundgeiten and trade union leader Jørn Eggum sat down with newspaper VG to debate changes they want to make to working life in Norway. 

The pair said there should be a focus on getting young people into work and creating jobs in rural areas. Making practical jobs more attractive to young people was one incentive they said should be prioritised. 

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“Young people are wise and see what the opportunities are in working life. If they see that there are good job opportunities, they will take the necessary practical education,” Lundteigen explained. 

The two also said they would cut down on labour immigration in several industries by increasing wages and making jobs in sectors where immigrants make up the majority of the workforce more attractive to Norwegians. 

He said that by increasing wages for some professions such as agriculture and fishing, consumers should be prepared to pay more money for food. 

“We have to be honest about it. We will get more expensive food. And increased transfers in the agricultural settlement,” Eggum said. 

Did you know?

According to Statistics Norway, people living in Norway spend 22 percent of their net monthly income on housing, 15 percent on transportation, 11 percent on food and alcohol-free beverages, and 3 percent on health-related expenditures. Together this amounts to 51 percent of total income.

Cost of living: What do workers in Norway spend their salaries on?

Useful links

Below you’ll find a couple of helpful articles, guides and resources put together by The Local, which cover key aspects of working life in Norway.

What you need to know about setting up as a freelancer in Norway

How to get a work permit in Norway

Is this useful?

Please get in touch with me at [email protected] to let me know if this weekly feature is useful and any suggestions you have for jobs related articles on The Local Norway.

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