Norway: Hundreds of oil service workers laid off amid strike action

Around 350 oil service workers have been laid off in Norway as a result of a strike action that started a week ago. 

To remind, over 300 oil service workers went on strike after mediation over the collective oil service agreement between the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association and the Norwegian union of Industri Energi had failed.

The union had taken out about 300 of its members from five companies: Schlumberger Norway, Baker Hughes Norway, Halliburton, Oceaneering and Oceaneering Asset Integrity.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, an employers’ organization in Norway, the strike had major consequences for drilling and well operations on the Norwegian continental shelf. As a result, 350 employees at Baker Hughes, Schlumberger, and Halliburton were laid off. The majority of employees who have been laid off are from Baker Hughes.

The employers’ organization also said that further layoffs are expected in the next few days in various companies that are directly or indirectly affected by the strike. The companies affected by the strike are shutting down its drilling activities and their offshore operations. As a result, the companies are suffering financial losses and the only was to reduce financial loss is to temporarily lay off employees.

Offshore Energy Today Staff