Labor Minister Tonje Brenna Initiates Fresh Talks on Sick Leave Agreement
Norway‘s Labor Minister Tonje Brenna (Labour, Ap) has invited stakeholders to resume talks on the controversial sick leave agreement, following a month-long impasse.
Both the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and the Confederation of Trade Unions in Norway (LO) have expressed openness to new discussions, after suspending negotiations on December 9.
"We will reconvene in the last week of January," Brenna revealed to NRK.
LO leader Peggy Hessen Følsvik remains steadfast in her demand to freeze sick pay, while NHO rejects the notion of disrupting the existing order. However, they both agree that changes are needed to reduce sick leave absenteeism.
The renewed efforts come amidst increasing pressure to address Norway’s high level of sick leave, which has been a persistent issue despite previous reforms. The current agreement, signed in 2017, aimed to reduce sick leave days but has seen little impact.
Stay tuned for updates as the parties resume talks to tackle this significant challenge in Norway’s labor market.
