Workers who need to stay home with their children should be entitled to full pay, says LO.
On Thursday morning, LO leader Hans-Christian Gabrielsen met with Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (H) and Minister of Trade and Industry Iselin Nybø (V) and NHO Director Ole Erik Almlid.
The LO leader believes that it was a fruitful meeting.
– The government must contribute to creation safety through clear advice and concrete measures. There, LO and NHO are completely compatible, says Hans-Christian Gabrielsen of the Free Trade Movement.
Coronavirus in Norway- How to proceed?
They made three main claims:
• Bright common rules regarding money for care. Each person under quarantine is entitled to sickness benefit.
– We cannot accept the fact that the changes will result in a reduction in employee income. According to Gabrielsen, the authorities must find measures that can compensate for any loss of wages changes in regulations.
• Employees who are quarantined or who must stay home with children for a reason closed school and kindergartens, must be at home with full pay, says the LO leader.
– It is unreasonable that cases where workers are sick and cases where workers are ordered to self-quarantine in purpose of prevention diseases should be treated differently, says Gabrielsen, adding:
– The government must ensure that all such situations should trigger support Nav.
Erna Solberg promised a few sick days on Thursday for employees with children. But she didn't make any specific promises during conference press release on Thursday 14.00 p.m.
• Communal management secured.
– The healthcare sector and municipalities need to be safe in order to do so provide good care to the population health without having to limit budgets. Tens of thousands of health care workers are located in difficult situation, which they have to face and have close contact with people, says Gabrielsen.
- I am full of admiration for the work they do. We must be aware of the risks to which they are exposed. Gabrielsen said the lack of money should not be a challenge in this context.
Home quarantine
Gabrielsen believes that uncertainty about income security can lead to people going to work when they should stay home despite being at risk.
– The security of the economy and protection of incomes are important to prevent the spread infection - he says.
"The government needs to put in place measures to ensure that workers and businesses do not make poor public health decisions because of financial uncertainty," he adds.
The LO leader also requires additional explanations:
– Employees with small children in quarantine they must have the opportunity staying home with children on full pay. They must be clear and common rules regarding age and other conditions. As explained by the head of the high school. These rules are not specified yet.
LO supports measures to reduce the burden on businesses that they have to bear, including regulatory changes.
- The LO, however, cannot accept the fact that changes in the layoff regulations reduce the income of employees. Hans-Christian Gabrielsen said that this burden must be borne by society.
The LO leader specifically asked government to consider a separate package crisis for the cultural sector, as is the case in Denmark.
- We have many members who are independent and self-employed. They must now be dealt with, says Hans-Christian Gabrielsen.
The state must take greater responsibility
Companies need to be sure that they can continue to work and that they can lay off workers if necessary.
– Deferred wealth tax is an example of measures that will not had a significant impact. I'm warning you government before committing resources to such proposals, says Hans-Christian Gabrielsen.
The crisis in Norway
- Exemption provisions are the result of sharing the financial burden between three parties. In the current situation, the state must take a greater part on behalf of employers, without prejudice to workers' rights.
The timing of the termination of employment by the employer must mean that the state intervenes and assumes financial responsibility. Under the current circumstances, it now legally rests with the employer, emphasizes Gabrielsen.
This means that the period during which employees receive their full salary is not reduced as a result of the shortening notice period, says LO.
The LO leader specifically asked the government to consider a separate crisis package for the cultural sector, as is the case in Denmark.
"We are protecting freelance and self-employed members who are now self-employed," says Hans-ChristianGabrielsen.
The government will donate the funds
Schools and kindergartens are now closed. This is one of the measures the government introduced on Thursday to prevent the spread of viruses.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) and Minister of Health and Care Bent Høie (H) met the press on Thursday to present the terms.
Prime Minister Solberg said that parents will have more sick days for dzieci. However, we do not yet have details about what changes will be introduced.
source: LO Media
