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Prime Minister Stoltenberg underlined this message during his address to the HK Congress in Norway. In a 45-minute keynote address to the Congress delegates, the Prime Minister spelled out the successes and future plans for his government, which faces elections in 2013.



The Prime Minister said he was proud to have been a member of HK since 1981. He stated that the jobs’ market was “unlike any other market.” We need an “organised approach” to create jobs and ensure fair standards through negotiations between unions and employers.



This has brought great success to Norway, which has low unemployment, low inflation and increased purchasing power. Since coming to office, he said that 300,000 jobs had been created. We should not take this for granted, he said, adding that these results do not just happen, they spring from our values and knowledge of what brings results. None of us should take decent work for granted, he stressed. He said that he looked forward to working with the trade unions to examine current labour market trends. He expressed his concern over the growth of involuntary part-time work and agency work. “We do not want to see social dumping in the Norwegian labour market,” he underlined.



The discussions on the transposition of the EU Temporary Workers’ Directive provoked a furore in the country, with the government building in extra safeguards.



In a lively question and answer session with Congress delegates, the Prime Minister confirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.



The government published a white paper on corporate social responsibility in 2011. To date, five global framework agreements have been signed with Norwegian companies in the industry and oil sector. The call for global framework agreements was backed by LO President Roar Flåthen who addressed the Congress. Roar confirmed that the world of work should not take a back seat in the elections. “The LO is growing and we have built a better life for all Norwegians; let’s not place this at risk,” he said.



In his address, Philip Jennings, UNI Global Union General Secretary, remembered the victims of the Utøya tragedy when the lives of 18 HK members were lost. He also outlined UNI Global Union’s Breaking Through strategy and stressed the importance of union growth. Both the LO and HK have reported impressive growth figures. Jennings was delighted to receive a financial contribution to the UNI Organising Fund.



The Congress paid tribute to HK President Sture Arntzen, who will retire from office in July 2013, and elected Trine Lise Sundnes as his successor.