New Minister of Labour must ensure payment to oil pioneers before it is too late
Those who sacrificed their health for Norway's oil wealth are now fighting a battle for justice. We expect the new Minister of Labour to ensure rapid payment of compensation to the oil pioneers.
This article is written by NITO by NITO President Kjetil Lein, in collaboration with Fellesforbundet, Lederne, SAFE, Forbundet Styrke, Industriaksjonen, the Norwegian Association of the Disabled, the Norwegian Cancer Society and the National Association of Working Environment Injuries Offshore. A version of the article was printed in Dagsavisen on 25 September 2025.
The oil pioneers who worked offshore in the first decades had very demanding and hazardous working conditions. The working environment was characterised by weak and untidy regulations, little supervision, poor protective equipment and exposure to toxic chemicals. Many oil workers became seriously ill, and far too many have now died as a result of the working conditions. We are nine organizations that represent the oil pioneers in different ways. Our common starting point is to put in place a fair solution as quickly as possible.
We were incredibly happy when a united parliament just before Christmas last year made a historic decision to establish a special compensation scheme for oil pioneers. It was a great relief, after decades of struggle. Nine months have now passed since the decision. We know that work is being done to establish a solution, but not a penny has been paid out and several of the sickest have passed away during the waiting period.
The Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion, Kjersti Stenseng, has now invited us to a meeting, and we are going into this with clear expectations:
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The government must establish a fast track for those who have already been investigated
Many of the oil pioneers have already been investigated several times, and all the necessary documentation is available. There is no reason to keep these waiting. Many have no time to lose, it can be days and weeks. We ask that the government establish a fast track that provides clarification. It will be of enormous importance to the individual.
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A safety valve must be established in guidelines and special legislation
If the government chooses a model that limits someone from receiving compensation, we must have a safety valve. New knowledge and research on harmful effects, chemical substances and working environment conditions are emerging continuously, and in those cases it should then lead to more people being covered by the compensation scheme. The same must apply in cases where the Tribunal has rejected the application.
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The tribunal must have solid support and trust among the oil pioneers
A board will be appointed to assess the applications, and it is crucial that such a board has the confidence of the oil pioneers. In our opinion, this can be taken care of with good user representation and associated professionals with extensive experience and knowledge of the working environment offshore. The parties should be involved in the process of appointing the Tribunal.
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The government must assume a compensation amount equivalent to 65G
This is in line with what the commission proposes, and this is how it was done for the North Sea divers. It is a fair starting point and provides recognition and compensation for the extent and severity of the health damage inflicted on the oil pioneers.
For all those who fight their battle every single day, we have high hopes that the government and the new Minister of Labour will deliver quickly. We cannot change the past, but we can ensure a better future for the people who were marked for life, and their relatives.
