– This is very positive! Now we can get what we need to do a better job. It is a satisfied Vivian Mikalsen, chief shop steward for NTL in the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority, who meets news in central Tromsø. In January, she issued two clear demands to the elected officials: A warrant for seizing documents that companies do not want to show Access to obtain information from several actors Mikalsen is now being heard in the Storting. The majority in the Labor and Social Affairs Committee gives the government its marching orders on precisely these two points. This is revealed in the committee’s recent recommendations. – I am very happy that the committee has gathered to strengthen the toolbox of the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority. It will improve efforts against workplace crime. And I hope more cases will be sent to the police when there is a need for it, says committee leader Kirsti Bergstø (SV). news has previously revealed that only a fraction of the reports from the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority have led to a verdict. 40 percent were discarded. Kjersti Bergstø (SV), chair of the labor and social committee, on the floor of the Storting during an earlier debate on the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority’s sanctioning options. Photo: Patrick da Silva Sæther / news – Wants to narrow the room for action of unscrupulous actors It was before Christmas that SV presented to the Storting a three-part proposal to strengthen the Labor Inspectorate. The party demanded, among other things, a full review of the authority’s possibilities to obtain information and impose sanctions in the event of violations of the law. This is what the majority is in favor of, as news has previously reported. In the further processing, the Red party proposed to give the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority exactly what Mikalsen asked for in January. – The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority has experienced that documents delivered after many months look suspiciously different. Therefore, we give them the opportunity to seize documents. Even more important is the ability to retrieve information from new places. Then you will be able to better control the information that companies themselves provide, says parliamentary representative Mímir Kristjánsson (R). He refers to news’s previous case about a shipyard company that changed documentation after the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority notified a fine. Storting representative Mímir Kristjánsson, from the party Red, explains why the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority should be given the opportunity to seize documents. Photo: Rødt Storting representative Aleksander Stokkebø, from the Conservative Party, explains the party’s support as follows: – It is important that the Labor Inspectorate’s impact is not limited by the non-serious players’ unwillingness to cooperate. That is why we have listened to the shop stewards’ input. Mikalsen has no doubts about the effect. – This will narrow the space for unscrupulous actors. It will also make it easier for us to uncover fictitious documentation, she says. NHO negative to stronger protection During the hearing in the Storting, the committee received three written submissions. One of these was from NHO. They are negative about giving the Labor Inspectorate stronger protection. NHO wrote in its response to the consultation: “We believe it would be unfortunate if the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority were to build up a ‘police department’ in its administrative apparatus, with associated authorities that belong in a criminal record.” Fair Play Bygg, which helps exploited workers in the construction industry, is on the other hand very positive about stronger protection. – The Norwegian Labor Inspectorate’s powers must be adapted to today’s crime in working life. They must of course be able to seize documents. And if they are to check wages, they must have access to the information on wages in the Norwegian Tax Agency, says manager Lars Mamen. Lars Mamen is the manager of Fair Play Bygg, which helps workers who are exploited in the construction industry. Photo: BJØRN ATLE GILDESTAD Two parts of SV’s proposal from December do not receive a majority: A trust reform and more inspectors. The Conservative Party explains its lack of support as follows: – It is a paradox that SV, on the one hand, talks about a “trust reform”. It appears without concrete content. At the same time, they will regulate in detail how many positions the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority must have within various categories, says Stokkebø.
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Now the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority will be allowed to seize secret documents – news Dokumentar
