– This is a mockery. She shouldn’t have come here to tell us this, says Synnøve Vassvik, shop owner in Gamvik. Today, the news broke that the government is extending the daily allowance scheme for long-term furloughed workers in the fishing industry from 26 to 52 weeks. The solution will remedy the challenges that have hit the industry hard after sharp cuts in fishing quotas this year. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Ap) wants to have better income security for those laid off in the fishing industry. Here she stands with Vera Bjørk Hraundal, general manager of Gamvik Seafood. Photo: Gunnar Sætra / news The news was personally delivered by Fisheries Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Ap), who was in Gamvik today. The new scheme comes into force from 1 December this year. – This is a temporary solution, until we get a permanent arrangement in place, said Sivertsen Næss. Had expected more But not everyone thinks this was something to cheer about. Synnøve Vassvik is completely dependent on people with purchasing power living in the municipality. She fears that the foreign workers who work in the fishing industry cannot afford to be in Gamvik, waiting for them to perhaps go to work again. – The fact that people will be able to go unemployed for a year is not something to cheer about, she says. – But if there are no fish in the sea, then surely the minister cannot solve this? – We have recorded many solutions, for example that we can get the unused quotas from the large trawlers. So I expect her to take the input back and come up with something better, says the shop owner. Many people in the fishing industry have been made redundant in the past year as a result of low fishing quotas. The long-term plan is to put in place a permanent scheme for compulsory wages after 26 weeks for companies in the fishing industry. The aim is to have this scheme in place from 2026. The quota reduction also affects the fishing industry. Photo: Allan Klo / Allan Klo Heavy quota cuts The total Norwegian quota for cod was reduced by 20 per cent from 2023 to 2024. This means that Finnmark is about to lose one billion kroner in the circular economy. In many of the coastal municipalities in Finnmark, the fishing industry is the very lifeblood that keeps the local communities going. – That is why it is important for us to ensure better income protection for those who work in the fishing industry, says Næss. Safe schemes The Norwegian Confederation of Business and Leisure Workers (NNN) and Seafood Norway have worked for a long time to expand the unemployment benefit scheme. – It is positive that the government is now reintroducing the scheme, says Kyrre Dale, director of industry at Sjømat Norge. He adds that the Norwegian fishing industry has had special rules for the use of layoffs for many years. The special rules are based on the fact that the supply of raw materials in the fishing industry is strongly seasonal, and less predictable than in other industries. Director for Industry in Seafood Norway, Kyrre Dale Photo: Marius Fiskum / Seafood Norway. – Varying quota levels, availability and weather conditions create challenges for the fishing industry. That is why it is important to have hit-and-miss arrangements, says Dale. According to Dale, it is worrying that the government is also announcing that they are planning to introduce mandatory wages after week 26. – At a time of large quota reductions and significant pressure on the fishing industry, it is not the time to push increased costs onto the fishing industry, says Dale. Happy that the state is supporting Fisherman Freddy Kristiansen says that the reduction in quotas has been catastrophic for the entire fishing industry. Fisherman Freddy Kristiansen expresses concern about the current situation they face. Photo: Sebastian Faugstad – We didn’t know it would be as brutal as this, he says. Today he owns two boats with his own quotas. In total, this has cost him around NOK 23 million, but in return he has his head well above water. Kristiansen thinks it is fantastic that the government is coming up with such an arrangement. – Now the state should really help us on the coast, he says. Local communities need help Mayor of Måsøy municipality, Ingrid Majala, looks positively on the changes in the lay-off rules for the fishing industry. Mayor of Måsøy municipality, Ingrid Majala, says that the municipalities are dependent on the fishing industry. Photo: Private – With 30-40% of the inhabitants of Måsøy employed in the fishing industry, it is clear that the reduction in fishing quotas has had major consequences for the municipality, says Majala. Majala fully understands the need for redundancies in the fishing industry, but it is important that the state finds measures to ensure that the fishing industry is looked after. – That the employees are looked after through better lay-off schemes is a very positive development for all parties concerned, says Majala. The Fisheries Minister emphasizes that this scheme will never be able to fully compensate for having a permanent job and the activity in the local communities. – Although it is a solution that will provide help, it will be demanding if we see more redundancies in the future, says Næss. Published 20.09.2024, at 12.03 Updated 20.09.2024, at 14.56
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Daily allowance scheme for the fishing industry – news Troms and Finnmark
