Støre at YS about rights under pressure: – Use the father's folder, invest in mother and child
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre gave the opening speech at this year's YS conference with a look at a world where rights are under pressure. This year's theme was defending labor rights in a troubled world, under the title "Warning here!"
The Prime Minister highlighted that the world is a darker place now.
– It is a dark backdrop, but this government will work differently than in the previous period, with an emphasis on providing security for the economy, children, young people, health and our country.
Rights in the workplace are under pressure. Human rights and the right to organize are under pressure. Many countries are moving in an authoritarian direction.
YS leader Hans-Erik Skjæggerud today urged the Prime Minister to set up a new power investigation.
– We should have had a global power investigation, Støre countered.
New type of part-time, and AI
– Workers are our most important resource, accounting for 65 percent of the national product. Women's labor is an important part of this.
He pointed out that we have the lowest democracy score in the world for many years. Ethical standards are weakening, in terms of child labor and discrimination.
Prime Minister Støre believes that two new issues will shape working life in the future. Artificial intelligence will increase productivity. But we will also see a new type of part-time work, where more people must be included in working life within a new type of part-time work, because they cannot work 100 percent.
Declining level of organization and order in one's own home
The government was recently in The Hague supporting the ILO in a court case on the right to strike. Falling unionization rates are contributing to increasing pressure on the right to strike. One of the government's contributions to increasing unionization rates is the proposal to increase the union deduction from the current 8,250 to 8,700 kroner, with the goal of increasing it to 10,000 kroner.
– It is important that Norway helps support the work for decent work, that we have our own house in order. That we strengthen regulations against undeclared work and social dumping.
– I would like to thank YS for participating in this effort.
He also gave YS a salute for The working life barometer, which annually provides updated figures and useful knowledge about working life.
Støre's response to the staffing crisis
In the 2026 state budget, the government prioritizes armaments and preparedness through a significant increase in the defense budget (180 billion kroner in total, including support for Ukraine) and strengthening civil preparedness measures, such as digital security and measures for municipalities. Funds are also proposed for long-term research, which strengthens Norway's ability to be both military and societally resilient in the face of turbulent times.
– Emergency preparedness and security require large resources, not only money, but also people. Will other sectors, such as health and care, lack personnel in the future because, among others, the Armed Forces, the Police, the Customs Administration and the Correctional Service demand their share?
– I don't want to pit them against each other. But this emphasizes what you are asking about, that we need to get more people into work. That Norway's most important resource is our people. They are much greater than finance, capital and the Petroleum Fund. Human capital is 60-70 percent of the values in Norway, so getting more people in, giving them vocational training, giving them certificates, giving them education and competence to be able to solve those tasks. That will be our important task.
In his speech, Prime Minister Støre affirmed that the government will continue to work for permanent, full-time positions. And that inclusion will mean making room for groups of employees who need to work in a reduced position due to health.
Time will tell how far we will go by utilizing labor reserves and extracting efficiency gains as a result of increased use of artificial intelligence.
Equality Council: – Use the father's folder, invest in your partner and children
Among the rights in Norway that are of interest to many is parental leave. The Prime Minister is aware that parental leave, which is reserved for fathers/co-mothers, is also an investment in partners and children.
– “Reform – resource center for men” receives the YS' equality award today. Among other things, they work with new fathers. You are a grandfather yourself. What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself, and to today's fathers?
– First of all, use the paternity leave. It is a very nice right to have. If your family life allows it, take the leave fully. It provides connection with your child, and it also provides balance in the relationship. Becoming a parent is a big responsibility. So invest in the relationship between mother and child. Childhood is a great gift and a great blessing, but also very demanding in combination with everything else, so spend time on the relationship.