Leisure contacts in Norway face poor working conditions amid recruitment challenges

Frank Hansen, a leisure contact in Norway, expresses concerns about the poor working conditions faced by leisure contacts across the country. He points out that many, including himself, receive low pay, lack vacation or sick leave, and do not have retirement benefits. While Hansen enjoys his role, he recognizes the difficulty many municipalities face in recruiting leisure contacts due to these issues.

In various municipalities, the arrangement is based on contracts rather than employee status, which leaves leisure contacts without benefits that come with formal employment. Kjetil Skeide Edvardsen, a lawyer with the union Fagforbundet, emphasizes the need for municipalities to improve their pay structures to attract individuals to these vital roles. He criticizes the tendency of many municipalities to rely on the goodwill of individuals instead of ensuring fair compensation.

Leisure contacts like Hansen contribute significantly to their communities, helping individuals like Thorleif Emil Olsen, who require additional support in their daily lives. Hansen acknowledges the financial challenges, noting that since he began nearly three years ago, his hourly compensation remains unchanged at 28 Norwegian kroner.

Municipal officials, including Erik Rastad from Sandefjord, defend the use of contractual arrangements, arguing that this model allows for flexibility, given the short hours typical of these roles. However, Hege Mygland, an official from the KS organization, states that it’s up to each municipality to decide how to structure these positions while ensuring compliance with labor laws. She suggests there’s a trend toward hiring leisure contacts as regular employees, recognizing the importance of appropriately valuing this essential service.