– We want the cars on the road to be road-safe. Then we want to know that those who repair them have the necessary expertise. That’s what Gina Russel, head of section at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, says. She is talking about the inspection by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration of supposedly illegal car workshops. Inspections they carry out all over the country. So far this year, they have checked 427 workshops. 91 of them have received a decision to stop operations. Some of the actions are in collaboration with the police, Nav, the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority and the Norwegian Tax Agency. Russel says that the Swedish Road Administration is focusing on social dumping this year, and that the inspection of supposedly illegal workshops is part of the initiative. – Where we find illegal workshop operation, there are often also other conditions that are not in order. And one of the agencies that finds many mistakes is the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority. The workshops that were closed in Fredrikstad lacked approval for equipment, premises and expertise. Photo: Statens Vegvesen 1,384 violations uncovered – Illegal workshop operation is an unclear area. Some of the illegal operations take place under private auspices at private addresses, but it also happens to a large extent in legal businesses, which on paper have approvals and other things in order. That’s what section leader of the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate, Ricke Spenning-Sletten, says. She says the cooperation between the agencies gives a greater chance of uncovering illegalities. The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority reports that they have checked 381 workshops so far this year. Sometimes in collaboration with other agencies, such as the Swedish Road Administration, other times alone. To date, they have uncovered a total of 1,384 breaches of the regulations, an average of 3.6 breaches at each location. The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority controls other parts of the operation than the Norwegian Road Administration does. Among other things, whether the workshops have everything in order when it comes to safety and the working environment for the employees. Not least, they check whether working hours are recorded. Because here it is often sinned, says Spenning-Sletten. – It is the most common finding. Many do not keep any form of working time registration, and there are also many employment agreements that do not meet the minimum requirements of the law. Other violations The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority has uncovered: Unregistered employees. Employees about running during checks, as they have been instructed by the employer to do so. Lack of pay, including particularly lack of overtime pay. Straw man business, as the beneficial owner does not have the opportunity to obtain approval for e.g. used car sales. Technical manager who are not real and not present in the business, only registered to get approval from the Swedish Transport Agency. Unhealthy working conditions due to lack of ventilation and use of chemicals. Lack of protective equipment Lack of control of work equipment Illegal accommodation Compulsory fines and police reports The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority can also demand that companies stop work when they find serious breaches of the regulations. Four of the workshops they have checked this year have been closed because it was dangerous to work there. In a further 29 cases, the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority has used stoppage decisions as a means of pressure. This means that the company must correct errors and deficiencies within a certain time. If that doesn’t happen, they have to close. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has the same solution. But sometimes the threat of closure does not hold up, says section manager Gina Russel. Stronger funds are then needed. – If they don’t stop, they can be fined or reported to the police, says Russel. Wants equal conditions of competition For the Swedish Road Administration, it is primarily traffic safety considerations that lie behind the inspections, explains Russel. The workshops must help ensure that the cars on the road are roadworthy after a repair. – In addition, we want there to be equal conditions of competition in the industry. Workshops that operate legally must not have to compete with operators who, for example, do not have routines for the work or do not have the right equipment. The Norwegian Labor Inspectorate has uncovered 398 violations this year. Photo: Norwegian Public Roads Administration Since Norwegian Public Roads Administration has invested extra in this work this year, Russel does not yet have a basis for comparison to say whether the situation is getting worse or better. Published 09.12.2024, at 16.11
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