Non-union workers may have to pay LO fee (Dagens Næringsliv)

Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) vice president Gerd-Liv Valla is looking for fresh ways to win new members. Among the ideas being considered are restricting wage increases to LO members only and the introduction of a collective bargaining fee to be paid by non-unionized workers. "Many LO members are fed up with non-unionized workers getting a free ride," says Ms Valla. Whether or not to give special advantages to union members may become a key issue at next spring’s LO Congress.

More noise (Aftenposten)

The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) wants to change the industrial noise regulations. The change will mean more noise for those who have houses or holiday cottages near business premises. SFT has proposed the abolition of noise limits during the day and evening, and wants to raise the maximum permitted noise level at night by 5 decibels. The proposal has been sent for consultation on the quiet. However, the health sector has not been asked to voice an opinion and the experts are loud in their condemnation, both because they feel that increased noise will affect people’s health and because they have not been consulted.

Police propose on-the-spot fines (Dagsavisen)

According to Arne Johannessen, leader of the Police Union, the police should be able to issue on-the-spot fines for minor offences such as malicious damage, breach of the peace or the most minor forms of assault. Justice Minister Hanne Harlem agrees. In the new year she will set up a committee to consider which offences should be decriminalized.

Hell’s Angels spy on police (Aftenposten/Sunday)

The Hell’s Angels have a list of telephone numbers, many of them ex-directory, belonging to police officers. According to the police, the find confirms that the motorcycle gang engages in counter-espionage against the police. A hunt is underway to discover whether someone within the police force leaked the list of telephone numbers to the Hell’s Angels, or whether it was stolen.

Economic upturn next year (Dagbladet)

Life may become a little easier next year. Oddmund Braut, a consultant with financial advisors Norsk Familieøkonomi, believes that lower petrol prices, reduced VAT on food and a more stable housing market will make 2001 a much better year than this one. "People will have more money in their pockets," he says. According to Mr Braut we could be several thousand kroner better off.

Statoil flotation threatened by low oil prices (Aftenposten/Saturday)

If the price of oil falls as low as some experts are forecasting, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will postpone Statoil’s stock market flotation. The concern is that low oil prices will push the share price down. Professor of petroleum economy Øystein Noreng backs the Government’s cautious line. The price of oil has dropped USD 13 since its record high in September. "Statoil may suffer the same fate as Telenor," warns professor Noreng.

Great year for salmon farmers (Aftenposten)

A shortage of salmon pushed prices through the roof in the first half of the year, and despite a dramatic fall in prices this autumn, the salmon farming industry has had its best year ever. Pan Fish and Fjord Seafood, both listed on the stock exchange, have posted third-quarter pre-tax profits of NOK 638.5 million and NOK 96.5 million respectively.

Worth noting

• The Institute of Transport Economics has calculated that the fall in oil prices combined with the reduction in petrol tax will lead to a five per cent increase in traffic. (Dagsavisen)
• The Ministry of Health wants to strengthen the right of young girls to have an abortion without their parents’ knowledge. The proposal, contained in a consultation document, will be an exception from the provisions of the Abortion Act and may be used if an abortion risks provoking serious family conflict. (Dagsavisen/Sunday)
• The Government intends to give a Christmas amnesty to those asylum seekers who have sought sanctuary in Norwegian churches. But not all of those concerned welcome this Christmas gift. They are worried that it would be too difficult to return to their isolation after three days of freedom. Several asylum seekers experienced severe psychological problems following last year’s Christmas amnesty. (Vårt Land/Saturday)
• Petroleum and Energy Minister Olav Akselsen has undervalued the Norwegian state’s directly owned North Sea oil and gas assets by 50 per cent. Their real value is probably closer to NOK 1,000 billion. (Dagens Næringsliv/Saturday)
• Major shareholder Kjell Inge Røkke has called for the resignation of Kværner’s chairman Christian Bjelland and chief executive Kjell Almskog. Behind the demand is Kværner’s allocation of NOK 550 million to cover losses during the year. (Aftenposten/Saturday)
• Over 28,000 Norwegian children are waiting for medical treatment, almost 10,000 more than three years ago. The majority, over 26,000 children, are waiting for ordinary hospital treatment, the rest are waiting for psychiatric treatment or are categorized as an unspecified group. (Verdens Gang/Saturday)
• A recent survey reveals women to be the most unfaithful sex. More women than men would not mind being unfaithful, and fewer women than men believe infidelity is completely unacceptable. (Dagbladet/Sunday)

Today’s comment from Dagbladet

The Government wants to reduce the time it takes to process asylum seekers’ applications. According to a report laid before the Storting on Friday, the local authorities are to take collective responsibility for ensuring that asylum seekers do not have to wait unnecessarily long for a decision on their future. The Government has proposed a number of measures to strengthen the teaching of Norwegian, which will be included in a broader introductory programme whose aim is to enable asylum seekers to be self-supporting faster than today. Local Government and Regional Affairs Minister Sylvia Brustad should be praised for her initiative, but in terms of its general refugee policy Norway has little else to pat itself on the back for. We grant the fewest number of people asylum in Europe, but we give residence permits on humanitarian grounds – which gives less protection than asylum. This is a situation Ms Brustad should do something about. It is shameful for such a rich country as ours to be known as having the most restrictive asylum policy in Europe.

NOREG