Europe

State Secretary Dr. Schmachtenberg welcomes Norwegian parliamentarians

On 18 June 2018, State Secretary Dr. Rolf Schmachtenberg welcomed a parliamentary delegation from the Kingdom of Norway to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The delegation was headed by Mr Erlend Wiborg, Chair of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Affairs.

The discussions on minimum wages, freedom of movement for workers, temporary work, fixed-term employment contracts and other labour market policy challenges clearly highlighted the similarities between the two countries as regards the cornerstones of employment and social policy. It is always good to discuss issues of employment and social policy with other European countries. This is the case in particular with Norway, where the policy debate touches on many of the same issues, said State Secretary Dr. Rolf Schmachtenberg.

Norway is not a member of the European Union but it is part of the European Economic Area. Through its participation in the European single market, the country provides essential support to cohesion in the EU. In 2016, Norway pledged to make an important contribution to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and to the strengthening of its relations with beneficiary states. Priority areas are social inclusion, youth employment and poverty reduction.