On 11 April, the report will be sent to the committee that has evaluated the EEA agreement. Marie Sneve Martinussen, party leader in Rødt, believes the government’s handling of what comes to light will have major consequences both for the business world and for most people.
– Støre has said that there will be no notification to the Storting or anything like that. But we know that, for example, electricity and power are going to be topics, at least there have been leaks about that. Then it must be followed up with a policy where you use the leeway you have in the EEA agreement to put the interests of the country’s working people above business interests, says Marie Sneve Martinussen to Dagsavisen.
A recent opinion poll conducted by Norstat on behalf of Dagsavisen shows that Norwegians increasingly doubt the EEA agreement. The Rødt leader reminds us that there is actually room for maneuver in the agreement which gives us freedom to decide and that the government would do well to make the best use of it.
“Unfortunately, the room for action increasingly appears like an elevator that is trying to close, and where Norwegian workers and the interests of society are constantly caught in a bind.” The EEA supporters must also take responsibility for this, by showing that there is actually room for action, says Marie Sneve Martinussen.
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Power political consequences
In December 2022, Norway adopted legislative changes which remove the possibility for companies to use subcontracting when the work is of a temporary nature, for example for seasonal work or production peaks. In addition, a total ban was introduced against the use of hire-purchase in the construction industry in Oslo, formerly Viken and formerly Vestfold county. The main arguments for introducing the new restrictions were to reduce the use of temporary workers and thereby increase permanent and direct employment. However, complaints from European staffing agencies have led the monitoring body ESA to believe that Norway is in breach of the temporary agency directive and the freedom to be able to provide services within the EEA area.
Martinussen believes the government must stand its ground in the letting matter and that it will be absolutely crucial for the left to be able to win the next general election.
– The hiring case is perhaps one of the most important victories for the trade union movement and Rødt, which has shifted power to working people in the form of the security that comes with more permanent employment and equal treatment. Therefore, we believe that the government should state that it is out of the question to go back on the tightening measures that have been made, regardless of what ESA says. It will also provide an important assurance to the trade union movement that will enable them to wholeheartedly support the left in the election campaign and ensure victory at the next general election, says Martinussen.
– You have to have enough self-confidence on behalf of the Norwegian model that no matter what ESA comes up with, the hiring ban must remain and Norwegian laws and agreements for working life take precedence. It will be difficult for people to understand what we are going to do with national policy if the EU can anyway come and override it. There should be no doubt about this.
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Energy policy blunder
Another important issue that will be of great importance is the handling of the EU’s fourth energy market package. The package contains new requirements for renewable energy and energy saving. It also means that the EU’s energy agency gets a bigger role and more authority. Fellesforbundet is among those who have come out strongly and warned against the package. It is supported by Red:
– We should say a clear and unequivocal no to that. This is also an important issue in the trade union movement, and FRP can take many votes from the left if the government does not land correctly here, says Marie Sneve Martinussen.
– Why is it so bad?
– Saying yes to it will take away control over power policy from us by, among other things, demanding that we have 70 per cent transmission capacity in the foreign cables. If, for example, Norway wants a maximum price, the agreement puts legal obstacles in the way of that. When Norway entered the EEA agreement, it was given the right of veto precisely because it was supposed to be able to stand up for Norwegian interests in important issues for people and industry. Therefore, Rødt believes that vetoing the fourth energy market package would be standing up for Norwegian interests. However, we are concerned that the government will just leave the package and wait for a silver platter until the Conservative Party comes to power one day or another.
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EU membership
Guri Melby recently stated to NRK that Venstre, which was previously an opponent of the EU, has changed its position and will work actively for membership.
– This is the most important foreign policy issue in Norway. In a world where we see authoritarian forces pulling together, where several nations resort to protectionism, we must seek alliances where we can, says Melby.
But Dagsavisen’s survey shows that although most people’s opposition to EU membership is lower than before, it is much higher than the desire to join the union.
– There have been so many examples that we in Norway, through 100 years of labor movement, have actually gained many good, important rights that we are in danger of losing with EU membership. Nevertheless, we see that the Liberals want to have an EU debate, and that they want to join the EU. Yes, what to say to that? We’d love to be part of that debate, so bring it on!
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