Inspection of Norwegian giant. Report cites discrimination against Poles and other foreigners
Workers employed on Equinor projects were discriminated against on the basis of nationality — according to a report by the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil). Most of the people covered by the reports were Poles. The inspection covered, among other things, working conditions during the expansion of the Hammerfest LNG plant on the island of Melkøya.
Irregularities at Melkøya. Most of the affected workers are Poles.
Fot. wikimedia.org/Joakim Aleksander Mathisen/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
Havtil launched the inspection following a series of reports of workplace accidents and cases of harassment of workers from Central and Eastern Europe. Inspectors also examined information about the possible exposure of employees to chemical poisoning and serious accidents. The case concerns one of Equinor's largest investments. The newspaper “VG” reported on the findings of the report.
“Culture of fear” at the construction site. Workers were afraid to report violations
Havtil inspectors found unequal treatment of workers based on nationality. The working environment at the project was described in the report as a “culture of fear,” which was said to have led to a lack of trust in management. The problem also concerned safety. Workers were reportedly refraining from reporting violations of labour rights and safety rules for fear of losing their jobs.
Havtil Director Sigve Knudsen described the inspection findings as serious. He said that inspectors had identified non-compliance related to management, the working environment and risk management. The report is part of a series of reports on the situation of workers employed on Equinor projects. In recent months, cases of unlawful short-term contracts, understating working hours and non-payment of wages have been revealed.
Havtil Director Sigve Knudsen described the inspection findings as serious. He said that inspectors had identified non-compliance related to management, the working environment and risk management. The report is part of a series of reports on the situation of workers employed on Equinor projects. In recent months, cases of unlawful short-term contracts, understating working hours and non-payment of wages have been revealed.
Pictured: the Hammerfest LNG plant on the island of Melkøya.Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland, Equinor press materials
Poles among those affected. Further reports have been filed
The irregularities described also included the situation of rotational workers from Poland. They were allegedly forced to join trade unions in order to begin work at the construction sites. The matter was also discussed at the government level. During Polish Minister Miłosz Motyka's May visit, Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland described the incidents involving Polish workers at Melkøya as very troubling.
Two weeks ago, the Norwegian Bellona Foundation and a group of workers employed on the Melkøya construction project filed a report concerning suspected long-term and systematic violations of workers' rights. The report concerned Equinor and the group's senior management. Eivind Berstad, representing Bellona, said at the time that Poles make up the majority of those affected. The matter therefore concerns both employment conditions and the way the project is managed.
Two weeks ago, the Norwegian Bellona Foundation and a group of workers employed on the Melkøya construction project filed a report concerning suspected long-term and systematic violations of workers' rights. The report concerned Equinor and the group's senior management. Eivind Berstad, representing Bellona, said at the time that Poles make up the majority of those affected. The matter therefore concerns both employment conditions and the way the project is managed.
Hammerfest LNG on Melkøya is one of Norway's most important gas processing plants. The project cost has risen from the original NOK 13.2 billion to more than NOK 20 billion, and Equinor, controlled by the Norwegian state treasury, has come under pressure to find savings. At the same time as the Havtil inspection, action is being taken in connection with the report filed by Bellona and the group of workers.
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