The matter in summary: Many of those who worked in the oil industry in the 60s, 70s and 80s have serious health problems as a direct consequence of their work. The workers were often exposed to health-damaging conditions without adequate protection or knowledge of the risks. In December 2022, it was decided that the oil pioneers should receive compensation for chemical damage, but the government has not yet paid out this money. FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug demands that the government speed up compensation for injured oil workers. The Ministry of Labor and Inclusion is working on the compensation scheme, and will return to the Storting as soon as the matter has been processed. Several oil pioneers have expressed disappointment at the government’s handling of the case, and point out that several of the affected workers die before they get the chance to receive compensation. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Around 600 oil pioneers met on Thursday at the energy fair ONS in Stavanger. Band music, features and a two and a half meter long cake. All to honor those who started the Norwegian oil adventure. But many have mixed feelings. Including Jan Terje Biktjørn. – Some people don’t have the opportunity to be here. Others are no longer alive, he says. Jan Terje Biktjørn follows the event held for the oil pioneers. But it’s not just joy he feels. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news Contact with harmful substances Many of those who worked in the oil industry in the 60s, 70s and 80s have become ill. Not necessarily because of old age, but because they were exposed to health-damaging conditions without adequate protection or knowledge of the risks. The HSE rules out on the platforms were not as strict as they are today. The oil workers often worked with poor protective equipment and in thin coveralls that were soaked with oil spills. Biktjørn himself has problems with the central nervous system. He has also had a stroke and several infections as a direct consequence of his job in the oil industry. Several oil pioneers met Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug at ONS. From left: Bjarne Kapstad, Tord Lillehavn, Jan Terje Biktjørn, Jan Birger Årsland, Hans Marwoll, Øyvind Myrene, Sylvi Listhaug and Myrene’s wife. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news Had to quit at 44 news has met several oil pioneers. – It was fun in the beginning until we got sick. We have met enormous resistance, says Bjarne Kapstad. At 32, he began to lose his memory and began to tremble and stutter. Bjarne Kapstad in front of the exhibition area at ONS in Stavanger. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news – The eyes and nose ran quite a bit, so I was told that it was due to allergies. I took allergy tablets and continued to work in the North Sea. – It was a defeat like no other. The first year I traveled in the cabin so the neighbors wouldn’t see me go home. Simon Elias Bogen / news Øyvind Myrene Damage to the nervous system (polyneuropathy) and brain. Cancer of the rectum. Simon Elias Bogen / news Jan Birger ÅrslandProblems with the skeleton and memory. Has nerve damage and cannot move properly. – If you hadn’t had courage, we wouldn’t be here today, he says. Simon Elias Bogen / news Jan Terje BiktjørnProblems with the central nervous system. He has also had a stroke and several infections. Simon Elias Bogen / news Tord Lillehavn Cracked his back after substances and chemicals ate up his skeleton. Became six centimeters shorter, had bone marrow cancer and kidney failure. Got bone marrow cancer: – Severe pain Hans Marwoll discovered five years ago that something had happened to his blood. – I had fatal bone marrow cancer. Oil pioneer Hans Marwoll says he often receives messages that former colleagues die due to illness linked to chemicals after working in the oil industry. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news He received a bone marrow transplant and recovered. But afterwards he has had side effects from medication and chemotherapy. – My legs are broken, and I have a lot of severe pain. There is nothing left of my quality of life compared to what it was, he says. Was promised money that has not arrived In December 2022, the mood was different among the oil pioneers. The champagne popped. It was decided that the oil pioneers should receive compensation for chemical damage. But the money has not yet been paid. – We die. If we are to get any pleasure from the compensation, we must get it soon while we are still on earth, says Kapstad. Listhaug: – Unfair treatment Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug demands that the government speed up compensation for injured oil workers – This is a completely unfair treatment of those who sacrificed their health and who were crucial to our welfare society as we know it, she says. Bjarne Kapstad and Hans Marwoll together with party leader of the Frp, Sylvi Listhaug. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news She demands that the government present a scheme that initiates compensation no later than next year’s state budget. – Several must receive their rightful compensation for the effort they have made and the damage they have suffered before they die. For some it is too late. Not fully processed The Ministry of Labor and Inclusion is working on the compensation scheme. State Secretary Per Olav Skurdal Hopsø (Ap) writes to news that he understands that a quick conclusion is desired. – The government will follow up the case and return to the Storting as soon as the case has been processed by the ministry. State Secretary in the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion, Per Olav Skurdal Hopsø (Ap). Photo: Bjarte Johannesen / Bjarte Johannesen Fewer and fewer who can receive compensation The oil pioneers are disappointed with the government. – That they can do this to those who have created the society and welfare we have today is unacceptable, says Hans Marwoll. This week alone, three oil pioneers have died, he says. Bjarne Kapstad follows up: – The ranks are starting to thin. Reaction in the hall President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani spoke to the oil pioneers at ONS. In the speech, he said it was a shame that they have not received the compensation they should have had. As he said this, you could hear clear murmurs in the hall and an “Oi” from Kapstad. From the event for the oil pioneers at the ONS energy fair on Thursday. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news – It made an impression on me. I feel it was a boost for us. The President of the Storting says the stories of Kapstad and others make a strong impression. – I hope there will be a quick clarification. It has been a unanimous Storting. It’s about seeing people who have ensured that we have become the country we are today. Published 29/08/2024, at 16.04
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