The course is set up after there have been a number of examples in recent years of young girls in the fishing industry being exposed to incitement, sexual harassment and poor treatment by men on board the fishing boats. The case was first reported by Fiskeribladet. Fisherman Susanne Mortensen has repeatedly appeared on news and told about various forms of harassment on board fishing boats she herself has worked on. She is positive that the industry is joining forces on new measures against gender discrimination. At the same time, she questions whether it will have any effect. – I think the people who need it the most are unlikely to sign up, says Mortensen. The course should therefore be made compulsory, she believes. – Such a course should rather be part of the education instead of being able to choose it yourself, says Mortensen. – For example, as part of the vocational school when you are going to become an officer. It can also be incorporated into safety courses that almost all fishermen have to go through, she says. Mortensen points out that it will be up to each individual shipping company to decide whether they think they need to use the course. – I think the course must be held by people who know what they are talking about. It must also address where the problem lies, that it is a collective problem. This is about behaviour, she says. Will not force the members Leader of Norway’s Fishermen’s Association, Kåre Heggebø, believes there is a need for training in the industry based on the stories that appeared in the media last autumn. But he points out that he cannot force the Fiskarlaget’s members to take courses. – It is something we support, as one of the measures needed to improve and get rid of as many unfortunate episodes of harassment as possible. Whether it concerns sexual harassment or other harassment, says Heggebø. Will the course be compulsory? – The authorities must decide whether it is to be compulsory. But we will recommend it to our members, says Heggebø. It has cost Susanne Mortensen from Tromsø to speak out about bad culture in the fishing industry. The Minister of Fisheries promises better times ahead. – Expects everyone to take the Equality and Discrimination Ombudsman course Bjørn Erik Thon tells news that a binding agreement will be signed during the Nor-Fishing conference in Trondheim next week. – We expect everyone who signs to take this seriously, says Thon. Among other things, the ombudsman will be responsible for developing course material in collaboration with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, and holding courses. – I have a clear expectation that this course is something that everyone takes. We have received some very ugly stories from female fishermen in recent years, he says. Equality and discrimination ombudsman Bjørn Erik Thon has clear expectations for the fishing industry. Thon says that it has made an impression to hear posts from Mortensen and other female fishermen. – We want girls to have a good working day as fishermen, he says. Thon encourages people who believe they are exposed to harassment, as well as businesses or supervisors who want to work against harassment, to call their helpline. Believes it is an important step Fisheries Minister Bjørnar Skjæran (Ap) does not want to answer whether the course should be made compulsory or included in existing compulsory courses, but says he is happy that the agreement is in place. – We are delighted to have come as far as we have. Harassment has no place in Norwegian working life. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran (Ap). Photo: Lars-Bjørn Martinsen Skjæran is nevertheless clear that the course will be optional. – I have been very clear that it is the individual employer who is responsible for the conditions in the workplace. Last year, the minister called all the organizations in the industry on the carpet to discuss gender equality in the industry. He believes it has borne fruit. – We had a good round there, where my message was that all the organizations in the industry must help take responsibility in this area. I am very happy that we can now offer this course. Skjæran says that the question of whether the course should be compulsory is something that can be returned to after the agreement is signed next week.
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The fishing industry will receive training on sexual harassment – Susanne Mortensen is skeptical – news Troms and Finnmark
