The reactions have been strong after news’s reports on the Norwegian war sailor, who became British after the war. When he ended up in a nursing home last summer, he and his wife had major financial problems. The nursing home place costs around NOK 100,000 a month. The wife has sold her jewelery to pay, and they were in danger of having to move into a caravan in their son’s garden. Private individuals and organizations collected over one million kroner to help the 102-year-old. They think it is a shame that the Norwegian government does not support the war sailor financially. This is also the opinion of the Progress Party, which is putting forward a proposal in the Storting to financially secure surviving war sailors, no matter where in the world they live. A united opposition now wants to force the government to change the scheme. “Measly” by the government – We had hoped that the government would address this. The sailors have not been treated well by the Norwegian state. The least we can do is to ensure that those who have not managed to take care of themselves in a good way get a dignified old age, says Dagfinn Henrik Olsen (Frp). He calls the government’s treatment of Oscar Anderson and other war sailors “petty”. From left: Dagfinn Henrik Olsen (Frp), Anna Molberg (H), Freddy André Øvstegård (SV), Ingvild Wetrhus Thorsvik (V), Tobias Drevland Lund (R) and Kjell Ingolf Ropstad (KrF). MDG and Patient Focus will also vote in favor of the proposal to give the surviving war sailors state support. Photo: Stig Jaarvik / news All opposition parties confirm to news that they will vote for the Frp’s proposal. It is scheduled to be considered in the Storting on 4 April. – It should not be the case that the surviving war sailors now have to sell personal possessions in order to have the opportunity to stay in a nursing home abroad, says Høyre’s Anna Molberg, who is spokesperson for the work and inclusion committee at the Storting. – Urgency This is how the proposal reads: “The Storting asks the government to ensure that civilians who receive a war pension, and who during the Second World War were required by the Norwegian state to carry out activities that entailed a direct danger to their own life and health, are ensured the necessary assistance to ensure a dignified old age regardless of whether they are currently Norwegian citizens living in Norway or have emigrated to other countries”. With a majority in the Storting, the government is forced to change the scheme for the war sailors, despite its position to keep the current practice. – As of today, there are no plans to change the scheme we have for war pensions for the war sailors, said Labor and Inclusion Minister Tonje Brenna to news in January. But now the opposition expects her to take action. – We are disappointed with the government. Now it is obviously very urgent that it follows up on the will of the Storting so that the few surviving heroes this applies to benefit from the scheme. We expect Brenna to follow up quickly, says Molberg (H). She envisions an application-based scheme that will apply to all war sailors who sailed for Nortraship. Oscar (102) changed his name from Andersen to Anderson when he became British after the war. But he still feels most Norwegian. Photo: Håvard Blekastad Almås / NRKO Oscar (102) changed his name from Andersen to Anderson when he became British after the war. But he still feels most Norwegian. Photo: Håvard Blekastad Almås / news Unclear how many – Why does it need another media case for the Storting and the government to react? – We have become aware of Oscar’s case only now, thanks to good work on news’s part. And after that case came to light in the media, there was no doubt that we had to follow up on this for the surviving war sailors, Molberg replies. It is unclear how many war sailors are still alive, but it is believed to be around ten. The Progress Party’s Dagfinn Henrik Olsen believes it is urgent to get the new scheme in place. – This should be possible to arrange in two to three months. These are well-grown people, and we should be able to ensure that they get the help they need while they are alive. We cannot put ourselves in a situation where Oscar ends up in a caravan because they are waiting for the government in Norway. news has asked Labor and Inclusion Minister Tonje Brenna for a comment on the opposition securing a majority for the Frp’s proposal. She does not want to advance the Storting’s consideration of the case.
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The Storting approves support for war sailors against the government’s will – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
