Poles Forced to Join Trade Unions? Controversial Contracts in Norway

Poles working on Equinor infrastructure were required to be members of trade unions. According to employment agencies, this was a condition for being able to work in a rotational system. The issue may have also affected other migrants employed through agencies.

Contracts included provisions for 'automatic membership,' which covered employees from their first day of work. Membership fees of 500 NOK per month (about 180 PLN) were deducted from salaries. Media report that workers were often unaware they had become union members.

Agencies explained these practices by referring to regulations regarding rotational work schedules. According to these rules, trade unions must approve such arrangements. The companies claimed this required employees to be unionized.

Agency representatives confirmed the automatic enrollment of Poles. However, they emphasized that it was possible to leave the union later. Workers reported the situation to support organizations and activists.

Ewelina Baj from the Venstre party, who lives in Norway and supports Poles in disputes with employers, provided examples of contracts containing mandatory union membership clauses. She indicated that such provisions were imposed as a condition for taking up work.

In her opinion, the reported cases involved contracts that were not compliant with Norwegian law. Those reporting the issue feared losing their jobs if they refused to join the union. The matter has attracted the attention of Norwegian media.

The Norwegian Union of Industrial Workers and the Norwegian Union of General Workers stated that the responsibility for enrolling employees without their consent lies with the agencies.

In an interview with "VG," their representatives emphasized that union membership should be voluntary. Automatic enrollment is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of union operation. They admitted that they accepted registrations submitted by companies, not by the workers themselves. The organizations announced a review of their procedures.

Norwegian lawyers commenting on the findings pointed out that making access to work conditional on union membership may violate the constitution and the principle of freedom of association. In their view, the high unionization rate—up to 99% in some state-owned companies—may indicate pressure on employees.

Experts noted that such practices disrupt the balance between employer and employee. The issue requires clarification at the legislative level. They also highlighted the need to standardize recruitment rules for foreign workers.