Norway’s Progress Party wants to make citizenship more difficult to obtain, King offers condolences after the earthquake in Myanmar, and other news from Norway on Tuesday.

LO, YS and NHO find wage agreement after mediation talks

A wage increase of 4.4 percent for workers in the “frontline” industry professions has been agreed upon between the Norwegian Confederation of Enterprise (NHO), The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS) and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO).

“We agree on a result that ensures good growth in purchasing power for LO members and especially for those on low wages. This has been important to us and we are achieving that with this wage settlement. With this settlement, the parties take responsibility in demanding times and agree on a good result,” LO leader Peggy Hessen Følsvik said in a press release.

Workers could receive a real wage increase of 1.7 percent once inflation is factored into the equation.

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More than 25,000 workers were ready to strike if a deal wasn’t agreed by midnight Wednesday.

Progress Party wants tougher citizenship requirements

The Progress Party wants to toughen the Norwegian citizenship requirements after 27,000 people were naturalised last year.

The Progress Party has proposed a minimum residence requirement of 10 years in order to obtain citizenship, as well as barring those with criminal convictions from ever being granted citizenship.

This is in addition to passing a language test at a minimum of B2 level, one level higher than the current requirements.

Fewer bicycle couriers signed up to collective bargaining agreements

Since 2019 the number of Foodora riders part of a collective bargaining agreement has plummeted, the newspaper Klassekampen reported.

An agreement was signed after a long strike. However, the number of people who belong to the agreement has slipped from 264 to 96 members.

While Foodora offers a collective bargaining agreement, its competitor, Wolt, doesn’t.

King Harald offers condolences after Myanmar earthquake

King Harald has expressed his condolences following the earthquake that rocked Myanmar and Thailand last week.

“On behalf of myself and the Norwegian people, I would like to express my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and others affected by this tragic event,” King Harald said in a statement.

Over 2,000 people have been confirmed dead so far, and the death toll could continue to rise.