Norway labor group fails to reach agreement on part-time overtime pay

Norway's Minister of Labour and Inclusion, Kjersti Stenseng, has received a report from a joint working group regarding overtime and extra work regulations for part-time employees. The working group, tasked with finding a solution following EU Court rulings that identified illegal discrimination against part-time workers, failed to reach a consensus between labor unions and employer organizations.

Labor unions, including LO, YS, Akademikerne, and Unio, have advocated for part-time employees to receive overtime pay for any hours worked beyond their contracted percentage. Conversely, employer organizations such as NHO, Virke, Spekter, and KS argue that the current system should remain. NHO Geneo expressed concerns that changing the rules would make part-time positions significantly more expensive for employers, potentially making it harder for people to enter the workforce through flexible part-time roles.

The dispute follows recent Norwegian court decisions that aligned with EU directives, granting certain employees back-pay for hours worked beyond their contracted positions. The working group's inability to reach an agreement leaves the future of Norwegian labor compensation rules uncertain.