"Scandalously low sum for the oil pioneers"
The government's proposal for compensation of 8 G to the oil pioneers is scandalously low, according to NITO's President Kjetil Lein. "Should have been at the same level as the North Sea divers.
In the national budget for 2026, the government proposes to allocate NOK 434 million to a compensation scheme for oil pioneers. The government proposes to set the compensation at 8 G, which corresponds to NOK 1,041,280 for each oil pioneer who meets the conditions.
"In NITO's opinion, this is a scandalously low sum for damaged health. In comparison, the North Sea divers received 65 G, and there is no reason why the oil pioneers should receive less," says NITO President Kjetil Lein.
The funds are intended to ensure that workers who were exposed to harmful chemicals in the pioneer era receive fair and dignified compensation. NITO and a number of other organizations have demanded that the oil pioneers receive compensation for damaged health at the same level as the North Sea divers.
Lein believes that the Storting has promised justice for the oil pioneers and that 65 G in compensation must be fulfilled in order for them to achieve real justice.
