Negotiations between trade unions and employers in Norway have broken down, leading to a large-scale strike in the hotel and restaurant industry. The trade unions "Fellesforbundet" and "Parat" have not been able to reach an agreement with the employers' association "NHO Reiseliv".
From today, 1922 employees working in the industry have started the strike, which will cover more than 100 hotels and restaurants in Oslo and Bergen.
According to the trade union leaders, workers in the industry receive the lowest wages in the country despite having the same living expenses as others. The trade unions demand a real increase in wages and the implementation of a prepayment mechanism for payments related to sickness.
"NHO Reiseliv" stated that the demand for prepayment related to sickness and social benefits is excessive and should remain the responsibility of the state, not the institutions.
The situation is complicated by economic pressure on companies - rising prices, high electricity tariffs, and overall instability. Employers warn that additional obligations could severely impact small and medium-sized enterprises.
The conflict is expected to intensify further. According to information, more than a thousand workers will join the strike, with the total number of participants reaching 2668 in 185 companies.
The trade unions do not rule out extending the strike by four more days with prior warning./AZERTAC