There Are Fewer Workers from Poland. Why Does Norway Still Lack Skilled Professionals?
Workers were afraid to report problems because they feared being dismissed. They also felt they were treated worse because of their nationality. These accounts were collected by the Norwegian regulator Havtil during its investigation of incidents at the Hammerfest LNG plant on the island of Melkøya.
Filing a report does not mean criminal charges have been brought.
MN /fot. ai
This is a continuation of the case we wrote about on 15 September. Bellona and a group of workers filed a report with the police concerning possible breaches of safety regulations. According to the organisation, many of the workers involved in the case are Poles employed by staffing agencies and subcontractors.
Fear of Reporting a Problem
Havtil, the authority supervising safety in the oil and gas sector, published its findings on 24 September. Inspectors examined incidents involving workers’ exposure to chemical substances. They also described a lack of trust in supervisors, fears of losing one’s job, and reports of unequal treatment based on nationality. The problem therefore also concerned whether a worker could say that something was wrong without fearing for their employment. Havtil also pointed to insufficient preparation of working conditions for the large workforce employed in the plant expansion project.
What Was Established Regarding the Chemicals?
According to the measurements analysed, levels of exposure to chemical substances were generally relatively low. The report therefore does not confirm high concentrations of toxic substances. However, the regulator stresses that it identified serious problems concerning work organisation, safety and the way incidents were handled.
Equinor had previously reported implementing changes, including improved gas monitoring, filters, new procedures and a medical station. We presented the company’s position in our September publication.
Bellona’s report and the regulator’s findings do not determine criminal liability. Work at Melkøya is continuing. In a statement dated 7 October, Equinor raised the estimated cost of the Snøhvit Future project to NOK 26.5 billion. The company maintains its plan to begin onshore gas compression in 2029 and electrify the plant in 2030. Sources: Havtil, Bellona, Equinor, previous MojaNorwegia publication of 15 September 2026.
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Equinor had previously reported implementing changes, including improved gas monitoring, filters, new procedures and a medical station. We presented the company’s position in our September publication.
Bellona’s report and the regulator’s findings do not determine criminal liability. Work at Melkøya is continuing. In a statement dated 7 October, Equinor raised the estimated cost of the Snøhvit Future project to NOK 26.5 billion. The company maintains its plan to begin onshore gas compression in 2029 and electrify the plant in 2030. Sources: Havtil, Bellona, Equinor, previous MojaNorwegia publication of 15 September 2026.
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MultiNOR Are you on sick leave and need help with documents? MultiNOR assists with formalities related to Norwegian sick pay. Ask which documents to prepare and what assistance you can receive. Service available in Polish. Check out help with sick pay
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