Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156) - Norway (Ratification: 1982)

The Committee notes the observations by the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprises (NHO) and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) attached to the Government’s report.

Legislative developments. The Committee notes with interest that the new section 12-10 of the Working Environment Act of 17 June 2005: (i) extends the right to care for family members in the terminal stage from 20 days to 60 days; and (ii) provides that the worker is entitled to take care of parents, wife, live-in partner and registered partner up to ten days a year; and to take care of a child with disabilities from the age of 18 up to ten days a year when the worker has done so before the child becomes 18 years of age. With regard to section 4b of the National Insurance Act of 28 February 1997, the Committee also notes the Government’s indication that, based on the approval by the Parliament, as of July 2011 the total benefit period of parental leave will be extended to 47 weeks with 100 per cent pay or 57 weeks with 80 per cent pay, and the father’s quota will be increased to 12 weeks. The Committee notes in this regard the NHO’s observations concerning the length of the parental leave. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the practical application of section 12-10 of the Working Environment Act, and on other measures taken in law and practice to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. It also asks the Government to provide information on the amendments adopted to the National Insurance Act concerning parental leave benefits, and any statistical information on parental leave benefits.

Article 5. Childcare and family services and facilities. The Committee recalls the LO’s previous comments on the insufficient number of available childcare centres, as well as on the shortage and high cost of pre-school places. In the absence of a reply, the Committee again asks the Government to provide information on the availability of childcare facilities, including pre-school places, and any measures to improve the availability of childcare services for workers with family responsibilities.