With the Labor Party in government, 145,000 more people have found work. In Oslo, this means that almost 50,000 more people have income from work when the Christmas season is immediately upon us. We succeed in one of our most important matters, which is getting people into work.
We should be proud of that.
One of the most important words in politics is security. Security at work, security for pay during illness and security that you will receive your next salary.
Høyre and Anna Molberg (Dagsavisen 25 November) believes, on the other hand, that the most important things in working life are three things: Temporarily, temporarily and more temporarily.
The Labor Party believes that the most important thing is that we get more people into work, that everyone has proper working conditions and that as many as possible have a permanent position. One of the most important words in politics is security. Security at work, security for pay during illness and security that you will receive your next salary.
A working life that contributes to insecurity for people and where people have to stand with hat in hand, is not our working life. The big difference between us is that the Conservative Party talks, while the Labor Party comes up with measures to get more people into work – in a safe working life. A working life with full and permanent positions – so that you can get a loan from the bank to buy your own home.
We shall continue with that.
The Labor Party can guarantee that everyone will be paid during illness and that there will be no cut in sick pay. Anna Molberg cannot do that.
The proportion of young people who are not in the workforce has decreased. We have launched the youth guaranteewhich will ensure that more young people enter work or education.
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I will agree with Anna Molberg that there are too many disabled people. The proportion of disabled young people doubled under Erna Solberg, and it has been difficult to reverse the trend. That is why the Ap/Sp government put forward the labor market reportwhere one of the most important things is to get more people from health-related benefits into work.
On the other hand, it is not correct when Molberg says that the degree of organization is on the way down – it has been stable around 50% the last 20 years.
This autumn, the Conservative Party has demonstrated what they want. There is more insecurity for working people, huge tax cuts for Norway’s richest one per cent and changed sick pay.
That is why Ap wants to increase the trade union deduction to strengthen organized working life – because we know that it leads to a more productive and safe working life. It is thus difficult to understand that Anna Molberg will cut the deduction down to the 2013 level.
The Labor Party can guarantee that everyone will be paid during illness and that there will be no cut in sick pay. Anna Molberg cannot do that, because the Conservative Party must cooperate with the Liberal Party and the Liberal Party – both of whom are open to cuts.
This autumn, the Conservative Party has demonstrated what they want. There is more insecurity for working people, huge tax cuts for Norway’s richest one per cent and changed sick pay.
In the Labor Party, we have two thoughts in our heads at the same time: More people into work, while at the same time we ensure that there is a working life that provides security for work, income and family life.
I suggest that Anna Molberg and the Conservative Party try the same.