The oil pioneers will get the money they have been fighting for years, but the clock is ticking. Two of them died last week. The government does not dare to say a date for when the money will arrive.
They have made Norway rich, but many suffer from serious health problems after working in the oil industry. A promised financial support has not arrived.
The oil workers' organization ALF Offshore is now demanding that this be up to 7.7 million kroner ($ 677 253), equivalent to what the North Sea divers received.
The oil workers often worked with poor protective equipment and in thin overalls that were soaked through with oil spills.
A large number of them developed cancer or other serious illnesses. Many also died at an early age, often in their 50s.
At the same time, a full survey is underway in the Cancer Registry of health injuries suffered by oil workers. 18,000 oil workers who participated in a survey 25 years ago are now being contacted.
The Cancer Registry has worked for several years to map the health damage suffered by oil workers from the early days.
In total, this involves around 70,000 people. A final group of 18,000 has now been contacted with an offer to participate in the online survey.
Many oil workers have struggled to receive occupational injury compensation because they have not been able to document that the injuries originated in the oil job.
Today it was decided and made clear that the oil pioneers will receive special compensation for the injuries they suffered at work.
It is high time that they receive both the recognition for the work they have done and the compensation they have earned, says Minister of Employment and Inclusion Tonje Brenna (Labour Party).
Many of those who worked in the oil industry in the 60s, 70s and 80s have suffered serious health problems as a direct consequence of their work.
This is because they have worked without protective equipment against toxic gases, oil and steam.
Getting this special compensation scheme has been a struggle for the oil pioneers for over 20 years. Bjarne Kapstad says this is a historic day for them.– Many of us have suffered nerve damage and cancer. Now we have come so far that we should receive compensation. It is about time, he says.
But Kapstad says it is important to get a date for when the compensation will arrive.
We are standing with one foot in the grave and therefore do not have time to wait any longer,he says.
Kapstad and nine other oil pioneers appeared at the Storting to hear the debate in the chamber.
ALF Offshore is demanding that the compensation be up to 7.7 million kroner per oil worker.
In 2021, the Storting asked the government to set up a commission to investigate a compensation scheme for oil pioneers.
In December 2022, the government was recommended to provide compensation to oil pioneers who have suffered health injuries from working in the oil industry.
Now, two years later, the government is doing something about it.
In these two years, 37 oil pioneers have died. In the last week alone, two more died.
Party leader Sylvi Listhaug in the Norwegian People's Party says it is sad that the oil pioneers are not getting any concrete answer on when the compensation will come.
I think it is a great shame the way the Labour Party is handling the oil workers. Many have died as a result of the injuries, she says.
At the same time, she is happy that there is a majority in favor of a compensation scheme.
But it should come in the new year.
Listhaug makes demands of Minister of Labour and Inclusion Tonje Brenna:
We demand that Brenna answer when the Storting will come back with a compensation scheme. The state budget for 2026 is far too late, she says.
Minister of Labor and Inclusion Tonje Brenna won't give an exact date for when the compensation will be given.
I'm afraid to say a date that's not right. My promise is to do it as quickly as possible.
Brenna says they will establish a separate system in Nav (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration), in addition to the compensation scheme.
The oil pioneers can contact them and have their requirements and needs mapped out.
Magn Muledal was a North Sea diver in the 70s and 80s. They have received compensation after a long fight.
It is only fair and reasonable that those who worked out on oil platforms should also receive compensation.
Oil pioneer Jan Birger Årsland fears that this will only result in more waiting without clarity.
They know that compensation is being sought, so why not come up with a date? he asks.
But the oil pioneers are left with a good impression after their visit to the Storting.
They spoke to both the minister and politicians from several parties.
Tonje Brenna (Ap) spoke with the oil pioneers in the Storting. From left Tord Lillehavn, Jan Birger Årsland and Bjarne Kapstad. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / NRK
We spoke with Tonje Brenna, and we got a good impression of her, says Bjarne Kapstad.
He has not given up hope.I am absolutely sure that the compensation will come quickly. But it is annoying that no date has been set, says Kapstad.
Source:
Nå får oljepionerene kompensasjon – men ingen vet når / NRK
Oljepionerene har fremdeles ikke fått kompensasjon: – Vi dør / NRK
Helseskader i Nordsjøen: Krever 7,7 millioner for hver oljearbeider / NRK
Flertall på Stortinget for å gi oljepionerene etterlengtet erstatning / NRK
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