If you fall from a scaffolding, it is considered an occupational injury. If you injure yourself while lifting a patient in a nursing home, it does not count

For 125 years since then, the most important organization in Norwegian history, Landsorganisaison, LO, was founded. Workers’ International Day of Struggle, 1 May, is marked by great seriousness, in a time characterized by unrest and conflict. Economic inequality is increasing both within and between countries. Authoritarian political forces, which want to undermine democracy and limit individual freedom, are on the rise.

The story of it The democratic labor movement, in Europe and in Norway, shows that people change history.

More than half the population was excluded from the right to vote, the right to assemble, the right to organise, the right to strike, freedom of expression, and very fundamentally: from human dignity and the freedom to rule over one’s own life.

The workers’ struggle in the mines in Sulis, the striking women at the match factories, the Menstad League in Telemark: History shows that freedom is something we have taken and fought for. The list of victories, working conditions many people today take for granted. Such as the fight for the eight-hour day, five weeks’ paid holiday, full pay in case of illness, retirement pension, employee representation on company boards, vocational training, the Working Environment Act and the principle of equal pay.

The fight for full time is both a women’s issue and a class issue. It is women and people in working professions who most often have to look for guards, who do not know if the pay is sufficient. Only 18 percent of all advertised healthcare worker positions are full-time positions. And if you fall from scaffolding, that’s considered an occupational injury, if you hurt yourself while lifting a patient in a nursing home, that doesn’t count.

The legislation for occupational injuries originates from a time when the ideal was that father worked in a factory, while mother looked after children and looked after the home.

Together we can as trade unions fight for our rights.

In Finland attacks right-wing workers’ rights. They have tightened the right to strike, they will fine people who take part in certain types of labor conflict. They are cutting the notice period, and it should be easier to hire temporary workers and fire employees.

In Sweden stands the employees of Tesla in a vital strike. Tesla owner Elon Musk bans collective agreements at all his factories. He stands for an authoritarian management philosophy, where all power must be concentrated in one man’s hands, and the employees are denied participation and dignity. The Swedes are fighting on behalf of everyone in the European trade union movement.

Solidarity it is only lasting answer to how we can create a better world.

The trade union movement is one part of the large popular movement that supports the Palestinians, international law and demands respect for the rules of war. In the last six months or so, we have witnessed abuses against the Palestinian civilian population that few of us can understand that the international community does not stop.

We need one renewed commitment to red-green cooperation in politics. Only together can we create a future where freedom, community and distribution are not just ideals, but realities for everyone.