– We believe that those who have been to the Storting can go to Nav like everyone else, if they do not seek re-election or are not re-elected to the Storting. We must have similar arrangements to those that apply to most employees, says manager in Rødt, Bjørnar Moxnes. Moxnes believes that the financial arrangements that politicians in the Storting have today are too generous. He therefore proposes that the entire severance pay scheme at the Storting be discontinued. The severance pay scheme gives Storting politicians the opportunity to receive 66 per cent of their salary for up to 12 months after they have quit, if they do not get a new job. The salary of the representatives of the Storting is just over one million kroner a year. Schemes under pressure Storting politicians have a number of financial benefits, such as a favorable pension agreement and access to free commuter housing if they live more than 40 kilometers from the Storting. In addition, they are covered for home journeys, telephone and internet plans. There has been a storm around these goods in the last year. The elected officials have received criticism for everything from commuter housing to travel bills, secrecy about tax claims, back pay and salary increases. Last year, the Storting’s presidency appointed an external committee to review the rules and practice for the financial arrangements for Storting representatives. Moxnes’ move comes the day before the committee presents its report. – In a time of crisis of difference where hundreds of thousands have less to deal with than before, I hope that several parties see that it is right and reasonable that we tighten up our own arrangements and bring them a little more in line with what applies to employees most, says Moxnes. Read also: Storting politicians’ spending FAVORABLE ARRANGEMENTS: Storting politicians don’t just have salaries in the millions, they also have a number of other financial benefits. Photo: Tore Ellingseter / news Wait to conclude But Moxnes will be punished for the move. – It is well known from Rødt to have doubts about the arrangements that the Storting has, says Nils Bjørke, Storting politician for the Center Party (Sp) and member of the control and constitution committee. Bjørke believes Moxnes should wait to come up with the solution. – The natural thing would have been for the committee to present its report first, and then we will have a proper review and discussion about the arrangements afterwards, says Bjørke. He believes there are good reasons why the financial arrangements are as they are. – It is natural that there is a severance pay scheme, you do not know if you will be re-elected in the next round. And it is common in many workplaces that you have a certain period after you have finished that you have secured income. It is important so that you can concentrate on the work of the Storting as long as you are sitting there, emphasizes Bjørke. FAIR ARRANGEMENTS: Storting President Masud Gharahkhani believes the arrangements of Storting politicians should be fair and easy to control. Storting President Masud Gharahkhani (Ap) also believes that it is too early to draw conclusions. – It is the presidency that has wanted an external committee to go through all our financial arrangements. They will now present the report on Tuesday and we are looking forward to that, he says. – What is important is that we have fair arrangements, arrangements that respond to society’s expectations, and arrangements that are absolutely essential for you to be able to do your job as an elected official. And not least that there are arrangements that cannot be misunderstood so that they can be easily controlled, says Gharahkhani. Read also: The public prosecutor drops the commuter housing case Read also: Politicians get paid extra to dissolve Viken
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Red will send parliamentary politicians on Nav – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
