Latest news with #Aftenposten
Local Norway
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Norway's Progress Party wants zero net immigration from 'high-risk countries'
Immigration policy spokesperson for the populist-right Progress Party Erlend Wiborg made the comments to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten on Friday ahead of the party's national conference at the weekend. 'Our goal is zero net immigration from high-risk countries,' he said. Wiborg said countries in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia could be described as 'high-risk' as the party believes refugees from these countries present integration challenges related to crime, low employment, use of public benefits and social segregation. 'Over time, Norway has accepted far too many immigrants from such countries. It is not sustainable and imposes enormous costs on taxpayers. We see ever-growing problems related to crime and segregation. The experiences from Sweden are frightening,' he told the paper. His comments on Sweden referred to an increase in gang crime in recent years, which politicians in both Sweden and Norway opposed to immigration attribute to failed integration and increased immigration. Last year, ordinary 4,970 asylum applications were handed into the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). However, Norway also has a fast-track 'collective protection' asylum scheme for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, with 90,082 asylum seekers from the Ukraine having been granted this status since the war broke out in 2022 . Wiborg said the Progress Party would prioritise Christian refugees. Wiborg said the party wanted to measure how well local authorities were integrating arrivals based on several parameters. 'Everything from the proportion of people in work, crime, receipt of public benefits, education and participation in society and other factors should be openly available to everyone, and show how integration works. This way, municipalities can also learn from each other, while at the same time stopping all immigration to municipalities that clearly have major integration challenges,' Wiborg said. Advertisement The party also wants to establish asylum reception centres in third countries like Rwanda. Something which the party it would look to form a right-wing coalition with, the Conservative Party, is also in favour of. Last month, Wiborg outlined how the Progress Party would also tighten up the citizenship, permanent residence and family reunification processes, saying Norway ' hands out citizenships like candy '. READ ALSO: How Norway's citizenship rules could be tightened under a new government
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trans Norwegian politician wants to give asylum to transgender people fleeing Trump's policies
The Green Party candidate and district spokesperson vying to become first out trans member of Norway's parliament said they would like to extend asylum to transgender folks in the U.S. fleeing the anti-transgender policies of the Trump administration. Karina Ødegård made the comments during a recent interview with Aftenposten. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. 'One thing is that you see the development of an illiberal democracy. I find that extremely problematic,' Ødegård told the Norwegian outlet. 'Then it gets even worse because the Trump administration has singled out transgender people as scapegoats to be hanged and removed.' Ødegård said she empathizes with the transgender community in the U.S., saying public affirmation and 'recognition' is key to living a full and happy life as a trans person. So when she witnessed the policies of the Trump administration targeting trans folks, she felt she needed to respond. 'When we see developments in the United States, where rights are being withdrawn through pure legal and political persecution, I believe it should provide grounds for asylum,' Ødegård said. One of the first actions taken by President Donald Trump in January after he was sworn into his second term was to declare that the federal government would no longer recognize transgender people. The directive, entitled 'Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,' defines sex as binary and based on the 'immutable biological reality of sex' characteristics at birth. Related: More recently, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education announced a Title IX Special Investigations Team to investigate what they call 'the pernicious effects of gender ideology in school programs and activities.' The administration claimed it created the special task force because it had received a 'staggering volume' of complaints about the participation of transgender student-athletes playing in sports and using changing, bathing, and sleeping facilities aligned with their gender identity rather than their sex assigned at birth. 'Protecting women and women's sports is a key priority for this Department of Justice,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a press release from April 4. 'This collaborative effort with the Department of Education will enable our attorneys to take comprehensive action when women's sports or spaces are threatened and use the full power of the law to remedy any violation of women's civil rights.' Ødegård also said she wants to open a dialogue about how the public affirms and makes accommodations for transgender folks. 'I have no problem acknowledging that in terms of reproduction, there are only two sexes,' Ødegårdsaid in her advocacy for a third gender category. 'But it is also about law and social interaction.'
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norway's windfall: should it go to Ukraine?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. "Are we a nation of money-grubbers and war profiteers?" That's what we must look like to our European neighbours, said Asbjørn Svarstad in Nettavisen (Oslo). Norway is sitting on a huge war windfall that could solve the continent's problems in an instant. Our sovereign wealth fund is now worth €1.7 trillion – and €109 billion of that came straight from our neighbours' pockets. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin cut off Russian gas supplies, sending energy prices skyrocketing and leaving Norway to lap up the profits as the continent's biggest gas supplier. And given that our European allies are pushing their budgets to the limit to help fund Ukraine's fight for survival, we owe it to them to plough that money back into rearmament. Yet until last week, when, under significant pressure, the government more than doubled its contribution to €7 billion – we were the "Uncle Scrooge" of Europe: shamefully, we've donated less to Ukraine as a share of GDP than our Scandinavian neighbours. Even €7 billion is a "pathetic" amount, said Peter Wolodarski and Christian Jensen, the editors (respectively) of a Swedish and a Danish newspaper, in Aftenposten (Oslo). We used to view the home of the Nobel Peace Prize as a generous and globally orientated country. Now we "don't recognise our Norwegian brothers and sisters". But Norway's government has stood its ground, said Håvard Halland in the FT (London). Even the finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg, who previously as head of Nato pushed countries to give more, argues against donating more to Ukraine. The wealth fund is governed by strict fiscal rules, he argues: it's specifically designed "for future generations of Norwegians". And he's not alone in flatly rejecting the idea that Norway has a "special responsibility" to help Ukraine, said Eirik Røsvik in Verdens Gang (Oslo). Norway's former finance minister, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, argues that Norway has no need to penalise itself for being a perfectly legitimate energy exporter. And besides, he says, "if Norway were suddenly to give three times as much as, let's say, Germany has done, other countries will soon give less". Far better, he believes, that Norway just remains a "stable" ally of Ukraine. Alas, my country is drunk on "the illusion of wealth", said Knut N. Kjær in Aftenposten. Oil riches aren't the same as power, and we're still a small vulnerable country on the border of Vladimir Putin's imperialism. "More than ever, we need predictability and security in our relationship with Europe", and we won't get that by being "opportunistic egoists". In fact, donating the windfall would be an investment in our future. Ukrainian soldiers are battling an "existential threat to freedom and democracy" – not just to their own country but to ours, too.
Local Norway
26-02-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
Half of seasonal work permits granted to firms who broke Norwegian work laws
The figures, reported by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, showed that 12,775 permits were granted to companies that violated the Working Environment Act between 2014 and 2024. Over the ten-year period, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) granted 23,775 work permits to seasonal workers. Seasonal work permits are granted to those who are offered full-time jobs that can only be carried out at certain times of the year and are typical in the agriculture and fishing sectors. The UDI can also grant seasonal permits for hospitality work during high seasons or to replace a worker on holiday leave, with the need for these workers assessed by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). One of the conditions for being granted a seasonal work permit is that the pay and working conditions must be no worse than what's considered typical in Norway. Despite this, Aftenposten reported that 322 companies that were granted seasonal permits for their workers had been caught failing to pay overtime, violating safety violations, not recording working hours properly, or underpaying staff by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority. Of these companies, 43 have been fined for serious violations of the Working Environment Act and 23 worksites were shut down due to life and health being endangered. However, just five of these companies have been barred from applying for seasonal permits for workers by the UDI. The UDI told the newspaper that it could not block more companies from applying for permits due to the limited legislation on when it can apply sanctions. Furthermore, the UDI's powers to block companies were not based on violations of the Working Environment Act, and sanctions on firms were considered after several serious violations. Minister of Agriculture and Food Nils Kristen Sandtrøen has said that the law must be changed to better prevent workers from being exploited. 'It must be a minimum requirement that employers follow Norwegian regulations,' he told the newspaper. Norway's agriculture ministry and jobs ministry will meet with key players in the agriculture industry to develop new measures.
Local Norway
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
How foreign residents in Norway can influence political decisions
Politics For Members Despite not being able to vote in general elections, there is plenty foreigners in Norway can do to ensure their voices are heard on political decisions that may affect them or be close to their heart. Are you passionate about an issue that – in your opinion – is not receiving enough attention? Worried about over-tourism in your city, residency permit rules, or deep-sea drilling? In Norway, you have multiple ways to influence political decisions, whether at the local or national level. The Local has put together a short guide with the key ways you can participate in the political processes in the country and push for change. One of the most effective ways to influence political decisions is, still, through the media (including The Local). Politicians closely follow newspapers, television, and digital platforms, as these shape public discourse and influence decision-making in the country. Writing an open letter or opinion piece for a newspaper can help highlight an issue and spark public debate. Many major national media outlets, such as Aftenposten, VG, and NRK, have sections dedicated to public discussions where you can share your concerns. You can always pitch a story directly to journalists, as reporters are often looking for compelling topics that require political action. Social media – used by most Norwegian politicians and media houses – also provides a platform for the public to engage with politicians and journalists. Joining organisations Another way to influence political decisions is by joining an organisation that aligns with your cause. Norway has a strong tradition of civic engagement through groups that advocate for various issues, including human rights (such as Amnesty International Norge), environmental policies (such as Friends of the Earth Norway), and labour rights (think unions). Becoming a member of an organisation allows you to participate in campaigns, lobbying efforts, and awareness initiatives that can pressure policymakers to act. Many organisations have direct access to politicians and the media, making them an effective platform for collective action. Public consultations and committee consultations Another way to influence political decisions in Norway is by participating in public consultations. Before a new law is introduced or an existing law is amended, the government follows a structured process, one of which includes a consultation phase. This stage allows experts, organisations, and the public to provide feedback on proposed legislative changes. During the consultation period, the government publishes detailed information about the proposed law or changes to a law on its official website. Anyone can review the proposal and submit a response, which is then made publicly available. This allows you to voice concerns, support, or alternative suggestions directly to policymakers before a final decision is made. 12 standing committees in the parliament. These committees are responsible for examining legislative proposals in detail. Engaging with these committees offers another avenue for you to influence political decisions, as they may choose to hold public hearings or invite written comments on a particular bill or amendment. Getting into politics or contacting politicians directly Getting involved in politics is another way to shape decision-making. By joining a political party, you can take part in shaping its policies and priorities. Political parties allow their members to propose policies, participate in internal debates, and influence their platforms. If you do not wish to join a party, contacting a politician directly can be an effective way to raise concerns. Members of parliament, municipal council representatives, and other elected officials are usually accessible via email or social media, and many are open to engaging with constituents. A simple Google search with the name of the politician in question will often be enough to pinpoint their official email address. You can find the form for contacting MPs or parliamentary groups on the official website of the Norwegian parliament (Storting), here. Protests Public protests are a great way of bringing attention to important issues and influencing the debate surrounding an issue. Historically, protests and rallies have played a crucial role in shaping policy discussions in Norway. An excellent example can be found in the Alta-saken (Alta case) protests, a major environmental and Indigenous rights movement that took place between the late 1960s and early 1980s. The protests were triggered by plans to build a large hydropower plant on the Alta River in Finnmark, northern Norway. The conflict became a defining moment for both Norwegian environmental activism and Sámi Indigenous rights. More recently, Sámi activists have led protests against wind farms built on reindeer herding lands, arguing that these projects violate their Indigenous rights and disrupt their traditional way of life. The most high-profile case has been the opposition to the Fosen wind farm in Trøndelag, central Norway. Participating in elections and electoral debates (provided you're allowed to vote) Voting remains the most fundamental way to influence political decisions in a democracy. However, while only citizens and dual-citizens can vote in parliamentary elections, those who have lived in Norway long enough can head to the ballots in local elections. If you need some help, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) created Valgomat, an online voting guide that helps voters decide which political party aligns best with their views in Norwegian elections. The tool asks you a series of questions on key political issues surrounding the election and then compares your answers with the policies of different political parties. Beyond voting, you can also participate in election campaigns and attend political debates to challenge candidates on key issues and advocate for change. Arendalsuka, Norway's most prominent annual political gathering, held in the coastal town of Arendal every August, is a prime event where you can do just that, as it serves as an open arena for debate, public engagement, and networking between politicians, business leaders, organisations, media, and citizens. See Also
