There are many indications that the operation of the Norwegian Labor and Social Welfare Office will be improved this year. This is the result of the revised state budget for 2018, which was presented on May 15. New jobs are to be created, and the aim of their employees will be to provide direct assistance to those employers who want to hire new people for work. There will also be more resources for disability benefits.
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NOK 12,6 million to reduce queues
According to the new budget, Norwegian government allocated 12,6 million Norwegian kroner to shorten the queues of unemployed people at NAV. This is to be helped by an additional 36 positions, the so-called "contact workers". This is intended to facilitate communication between the Office of Labor and Social Welfare and the employer. The aim of these changes is to accelerate the recruitment of new employees to work in companies that report vacant positions. As a result, this will contribute to shorter waiting times for the unemployed to contact their future employer and, consequently, faster operation of the office.
Tasks of new employees at NAV
Along with the budget amendment, the scope of responsibilities of "contact workers" was also presented. Their tasks will include in particular:
- qualitative analysis of the labor demand of employees
– verification in NAV system of these unemployed peoplewho will have appropriate knowledge and experience to take up the vacant position
- coordination of NAV activities resulting from the signed cooperation agreement with Norwegian companies
In the opinion of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Anniken Hauglie, this is expected to significantly improve the communication of the Labor and Social Policy Office with the business community. The effect of these activities is to be, inter alia, faster information exchange, more efficient search for job candidates and ongoing verification of employers' demand for labor.
More on disability pensions
The amended budget also provides for increased funds for: payment of benefits disability. In 2018, 860 million Norwegian kroner will be allocated for this purpose. This action is dictated by the growing group of people with certified disabilities.
There will be more pensions paid
According to NAV reports, the number of people entitled to receive this benefit increased by approximately 4 people compared to the period in which the original version of the budget was adopted. Currently, there are over 500 such people. This is the result of more than expected people on benefits rehabilitation centers become entitled to receive disability benefits.
What will this change in practice?
If the planned changes prove successful in practice, the queues of unemployed people waiting for employment will be significantly shortened. It may turn out that this change will have a positive impact on the overall functioning of NAV as an institution. Employees who were previously responsible for communication with the business environment will be relieved. Thanks to this, they will be able to perform other duties entrusted to them more efficiently and faster.
