– I spoke like Harald Eia – E24

– I felt like I was speaking like Harald Eia when explaining the Norwegian model, says Knut Arild Hareide after the digital encounter with the Hungarian airline.

Since the airline announced that it would establish itself in the Norwegian domestic market in early October, politicians and unions have criticized the company’s operating model and lack of employee rights.

After the establishment, the manager of the company, József Váradi, said that he will not be related to the collective agreements and the unions. The statements prompted Prime Minister Erna Solberg to advocate for a boycott of the company in the Storting.

– We make demands

Before Thursday’s meeting, the Minister of Commerce and Industry Nybø and the Minister of Transport and Communications Hareide had received a clear message from the Storting to inform the airline about the rights of Norwegian employers.

– Aviation is important to the Norwegian business community. It is good that foreign players see Norway as an attractive market, and we will allow them to compete with players who are already established here, says Nybø.

– We also set requirements for companies that will operate in Norway, including how they will treat employees; We have also pointed this out in today’s meeting. A prerequisite for healthy competition is that companies meet the same requirements, he says.

– I’m still worried

The three-quarter hour meeting was marked by the clarification of the Minister’s expectations.

– We gave a clear message that workers’ rights are strong in Norway and we will avoid social dumping in all sectors. It was important for us to explain Norwegian culture and communicate our expectations of them, says Hareide.

You say you are satisfied with the responses from Wizz Air.

– But I am still concerned about the profile of the company. “I have expressed what the Norwegian players are doing in the aviation market and will use my leeway in the future to take employees seriously,” says Hareide.

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