Responsibilities and Tasks in the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion

Tasks

The ministry’s tasks can be divided into three main areas:

1. Secretariat for the Minister: The ministry assists the political leadership in shaping policies and plans, communicating with the Parliament and the government, and presenting important issues to the political leadership.
2. Administrative Tasks: The ministry performs administrative tasks and acts as an appeals body for cases handled by subordinate agencies.
3. Managing and Following Up on Subordinate Agencies: The ministry sets goals, provides frameworks, guides, and follows up on results in subordinate agencies in accordance with laws, regulations, and political guidelines.

Areas of Responsibility

Labour Market 

Labour market policy aims to ensure a well-functioning labour market with high employment and efficient use of the workforce. This is important for value creation and the welfare state. The policy also aims to ensure good access to labour, discourage people leaving the workforce for permanent social security benefits and reduce unemployment. The labour immigration policy make it easier for businesses to recruit qualified labour from abroad. High employment helps to reduce economic and social disparities and prevent poverty. Income policy aims to contribute to moderate price and wage growth, high employment, and low unemployment.

Work Environment 

The goal of work environment and safety policy is an inclusive working life that ensures employee participation, safety, and adaptation to business developments. Businesses should prevent accidents and health damage through systematic health, environment, and safety work. The authorities use regulations, supervision, guidance, knowledge development, and cooperation as tools. The ministry is responsible for the Labour Inspection Authority, the National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), the Labour Court, and the National Mediator.

Integration 

Integration policy aims to support integration of people with immigrant backgrounds into work and society. This includes the settlement of refugees, qualification of adult immigrants, diversity in the workplace, citizenship, interpreting in the public sector, and support for municipalities and voluntary organizations, and also efforts against negative social control, racism and discrimination. The ministry is responsible for the Introduction Act, the Integration Act, the Interpreting Act, and the Citizenship Act, and is responsible for the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi), the Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir), the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

Welfare 

The Norwegian welfare policy aims to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities, rights, and obligations to participate in society, regardless of economic and social background. The labour and Welfare policy should enable as many people as possible to support themselves through work. Income security schemes should provide financial security for those who cannot participate in the labour market, as well as tohelp  equalize income and living conditions throughout life.

Pensions 

The pension policy aims to ensure income in old age and facilitate a flexible transition from work to retirement. The new pension system is designed to be economically and socially sustainable, motivate to work, have a good distribution and gender equality profile, and be based on simple principles.