Norway has one of the most liberal parental leave systems in the world, and the amount of leave has just increased by 2 weeks! Norwegian parents have the right to take 49 weeks at 100 per cent pay or 59 weeks at 80 per cent pay within the first three years of their child's life. It doesn't matter how they take the leave - the parents can divide up the time as they wish and your work place has no means of preventing it. The only thing is that the three weeks before and six weeks after the birth are given to the mother, and the father must take 14 weeks paternity leave during that period. If he doesn't the family loses those weeks completely as they are not transferable to the mother.
Social studies indicate that giving fathers time to be at home with their new offspring, getting to know them, taking care of the household etc. is extremely beneficial in cementing family relationships and guarding against family breakdown in the first year. Let's face it babies are a huge stress factor no matter how cute they look! It also helps to break down issues of gender and stereotypes, particularly at the workplace.
So far so good, but some families find it difficult to make it work and find the system too restrictive - especially when it comes to those 14 weeks of paternity leave. Despite the fact that paternity leave has been enshrined in Norwwegian law since 1993 (then it was 6 weeks) there is still a feeling in the private sector that parental leave is more women's work than men's work! At least, that is the general consensus in the newspapers since the leader of the Conservative Party has come forward with the idea of removing paternity leave and replacing it with parental leave, so that parents can make their own decisions as to how to split the time available.
Erna Solberg, leader of is currently on the campaign trail for the general elections coming up in Spetember, and I guess she is hoping to appeal to many disgruntled Labour Party (currently in power) voters, who are feeling disgruntled with what we might call a 'nanny' state!
The maternity and paternity leave system is a great system for families, but is really expensive to run, and when you throw in the state supported childcare system which is available to all children over one year old - that's why taxes are so high! Oh, and I forgot to mention that you are entitled by law to take 24 days a year as sickleave to care for sick children under the age of 12, in addition to 24 days for yourself, and an employer may not unreasonably deny you leave to attend parent/teacher conferences, school plays etc. etc.
This really is a place where the family is king, and your work place comes second, which in a way isn't a bad thing at all!
A blog about daily life in Bergen, Norway. We moved here in 2010 due to work commitments (my husband's). Now having survived the first winter I feel able to write about the place without too much negativity! it is amazing how a lack of light, freezing temperatures and general horrid weather drain creativity!! I've learnt Norwegian, and work part time - so this really is living in Bergen!
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Cash cards for children - good or bad idea?
Well, finally summer is here and we are having lovely warm, sunny days here in Bergen. Hopefully it lasts until the weekend, as we plan to hike from Ulriken to Fløjen - 2 of the mountains behind Bergen, I'll let you know!
Until then - there has been a lively debate here recently about providing children with credit cards. Sparebank 1 in Norway has been doing so for over two years, and other Norwegian banks are jumping on the band wagon. There are, however, certain restraints attached:
- you have to have the agreement of your parents
- the card cannot be used on the internet
- there is a limit on the amount of money that can be used in one transaction (usually the equivalent of £10)
- it can be checked and topped up on-line
other than that, children as young as seven years old are allowed to get a card.
I find that quite remarkable and I'm not too sure that it is such a brilliant idea. OK it might be easy for busy, working (guilty?) parents to take out the Smartphone and pay their child's pocket money, instead of rooting around for coins or notes, but when I was a child I kind of enjoyed having 'real' money in my hand. I knew exactly how much was in my piggy bank, and only took money out when going shopping (usually for sweets!). Our children were the same and got real money given to them. It's funny how you notice their money habits evolve, from spending as soon as they have it, to saving for 'something big' and finally to being aware of the true value of things.
According to recent research in the USA, paying by credit card does not cause as much pain as paying with cash! A part of the brain called the insula, which is associated with pain processing was activated when subjects who had $20 cash to spend were subjected to pictures of items with prices that were too high. Not quite sure how that research actually was carried out, but other tests have shown that when paying for something with a credit card people focus more on the qualities and esthetics of the item than on the price. Buying over the internet apparently is even worse! We lose sight of the price completely!
Today, everyone talks about the endebtednessn of the average family, running several credit cards, a mortgage, car loan, etc., and of course it doesn't stop there. Greece is on the verge of bankruptcy, Detroit has alread filed, and Governments across Europe have a none to healthy debt to GDP ratio. So why encourage the next generation to use cards instead of money? I think we are doing our kids a disservice by introducing them too soon to the joys (?) of paying by plastic, even if it is really just a cash card and not a true credit card. Much better to let them have the physical coins and notes in their hands, and watch them disappear into the till when they buy something, which in itself is only shortlived (sweets, toys). I really think that is the only way in which one can learn about prioritising, saving and controlling our finances.
Of course, since all Norwegian banks charge for the use of credit and debit cards it is also just another way for the banks to earn money, so maybe the idea will come to the UK too, along with card charges. I haven't yet found any other country that allows children as young as seven to have a cash card though, so hopefully common sense will prevail.
Until then - there has been a lively debate here recently about providing children with credit cards. Sparebank 1 in Norway has been doing so for over two years, and other Norwegian banks are jumping on the band wagon. There are, however, certain restraints attached:
- you have to have the agreement of your parents
- the card cannot be used on the internet
- there is a limit on the amount of money that can be used in one transaction (usually the equivalent of £10)
- it can be checked and topped up on-line
other than that, children as young as seven years old are allowed to get a card.
I find that quite remarkable and I'm not too sure that it is such a brilliant idea. OK it might be easy for busy, working (guilty?) parents to take out the Smartphone and pay their child's pocket money, instead of rooting around for coins or notes, but when I was a child I kind of enjoyed having 'real' money in my hand. I knew exactly how much was in my piggy bank, and only took money out when going shopping (usually for sweets!). Our children were the same and got real money given to them. It's funny how you notice their money habits evolve, from spending as soon as they have it, to saving for 'something big' and finally to being aware of the true value of things.
According to recent research in the USA, paying by credit card does not cause as much pain as paying with cash! A part of the brain called the insula, which is associated with pain processing was activated when subjects who had $20 cash to spend were subjected to pictures of items with prices that were too high. Not quite sure how that research actually was carried out, but other tests have shown that when paying for something with a credit card people focus more on the qualities and esthetics of the item than on the price. Buying over the internet apparently is even worse! We lose sight of the price completely!
Today, everyone talks about the endebtednessn of the average family, running several credit cards, a mortgage, car loan, etc., and of course it doesn't stop there. Greece is on the verge of bankruptcy, Detroit has alread filed, and Governments across Europe have a none to healthy debt to GDP ratio. So why encourage the next generation to use cards instead of money? I think we are doing our kids a disservice by introducing them too soon to the joys (?) of paying by plastic, even if it is really just a cash card and not a true credit card. Much better to let them have the physical coins and notes in their hands, and watch them disappear into the till when they buy something, which in itself is only shortlived (sweets, toys). I really think that is the only way in which one can learn about prioritising, saving and controlling our finances.
Of course, since all Norwegian banks charge for the use of credit and debit cards it is also just another way for the banks to earn money, so maybe the idea will come to the UK too, along with card charges. I haven't yet found any other country that allows children as young as seven to have a cash card though, so hopefully common sense will prevail.
Friday, 19 July 2013
Norwegian ferries and LNG
I love the Norwegian ferries. There is something extremely romantic about crossing beautiful fjords in a little boat, which, come rain, shine, sleet and snow links the main traffic arteries and tiny villages along the west coast of Norway. There is one small problem though, they are not particularly environmentally friendly, throwing out black smoke from their funnels.
The ferry operators are aware of the problem, and have worked hard to develop more environmentally friendly engines that run on liquid natural gas. Last weekend was the maiden voyage of MS Stavangarfjird, which will run between Bergen and Hirtshals, Denmark, which apparently went extremely well except for one thing. The ferry company are not allowed to bunker (tank up the ferry) in Norway! Why? Because according to the authorities here it is too dangerous to bunker LBG when passengers are on board, although Denmark and Sweden have no problem with allowing it!
According to a spokesperson from the Department for community safety and preparation (Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap - guess that's Health and Safety!) the reason is because there is a possibility that a fire could occur whikst tanking the ferry. To remain a liquid LNG has to he kept under pressure at a temperature if -169C, and if any escapes it immediately becomes a gas. If the gas mixes with the correct volume of air and hits an ignition soirce there coukd be an explosion, although it is more likely that it would causea fire. However, the likelihood of thr mix being correct is extremely low, which is why other countries allow it.
As a resukt, the environmentally LNG will have to be taken by road tanker to Hirtshals in Denmark, so the ferries can bunker, incurring much greater CO2 emmissions than running the ferry in ordinary diesel, and of course high costs for the ferry comoany! Hopefully, the ferry can do the trip to and from Bergen without running out of fuel!! They could also bunker when there are no passengers on board, but the turnaround time does not allow for that - I assume extra port costs for time spent alongside, plus a couple of extra hours on the timetable would be even more expensive for Fjordline than trucking the stuff down to Denmark!
The ferry companies have apparently been trying to solve the problem since the beginning of the year but it seems no-one at the Directoratet wants to take a decision. It is funny hiw the Norwegians time after time shoot themselves in the foot commercially.
At the beginning of August it is Fjordsteam 2013, when Bergen/Hardanger fjord will be celebrating the hustory of the steam ferry (and Bergen Fire Brigade's 150th birthday!. The link goes through to an English brochure about the event. Let's hope the weather is more summery by then! http://www.fjordsteam.no/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Brosjyre-18-1-13-engelsk.pdf
The ferry operators are aware of the problem, and have worked hard to develop more environmentally friendly engines that run on liquid natural gas. Last weekend was the maiden voyage of MS Stavangarfjird, which will run between Bergen and Hirtshals, Denmark, which apparently went extremely well except for one thing. The ferry company are not allowed to bunker (tank up the ferry) in Norway! Why? Because according to the authorities here it is too dangerous to bunker LBG when passengers are on board, although Denmark and Sweden have no problem with allowing it!
According to a spokesperson from the Department for community safety and preparation (Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap - guess that's Health and Safety!) the reason is because there is a possibility that a fire could occur whikst tanking the ferry. To remain a liquid LNG has to he kept under pressure at a temperature if -169C, and if any escapes it immediately becomes a gas. If the gas mixes with the correct volume of air and hits an ignition soirce there coukd be an explosion, although it is more likely that it would causea fire. However, the likelihood of thr mix being correct is extremely low, which is why other countries allow it.
As a resukt, the environmentally LNG will have to be taken by road tanker to Hirtshals in Denmark, so the ferries can bunker, incurring much greater CO2 emmissions than running the ferry in ordinary diesel, and of course high costs for the ferry comoany! Hopefully, the ferry can do the trip to and from Bergen without running out of fuel!! They could also bunker when there are no passengers on board, but the turnaround time does not allow for that - I assume extra port costs for time spent alongside, plus a couple of extra hours on the timetable would be even more expensive for Fjordline than trucking the stuff down to Denmark!
The ferry companies have apparently been trying to solve the problem since the beginning of the year but it seems no-one at the Directoratet wants to take a decision. It is funny hiw the Norwegians time after time shoot themselves in the foot commercially.
At the beginning of August it is Fjordsteam 2013, when Bergen/Hardanger fjord will be celebrating the hustory of the steam ferry (and Bergen Fire Brigade's 150th birthday!. The link goes through to an English brochure about the event. Let's hope the weather is more summery by then! http://www.fjordsteam.no/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Brosjyre-18-1-13-engelsk.pdf
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Fashion, design and Mette-Marit
As a country, Norway has not long had a royal family of its own. For hundreds of years they were part of either the Danish or Swedish political sphere, and as such were not an independent country. However, that all changed in 1905 when they finally broke away from Sweden and asked a Danish prince if he would like to become their King. Thus Prince Carl of Denmark became King Haakon of Norway. and the Norwegian royal family was created. King Haakon was married to Princess Maud of England (daughter of Edward VII), so they have links to the British royal house as well as the Danish and Swedish royal houses too. They have so far had three kings, Haakon, Olav and now Harald, all held in affectionate esteem. Gradually though, the feeling that Norway should have a royal family is diminshing, particularly since Crown Prince Haakon married Mette-Marit in 2001.
Mette-Marit is a commoner, who when she met Prince Haakon was an unmarried mother with a three year old son, who had mixed alot with people who went clubbing and did drugs. Not an unusual story, but often it is not the kind of background royal families want to have on their family tree! Generally, though with her charity work and other activites, Mett-Marit has endeared herself to a certain extent with most Norwegians, but the one area which many have difficulty in understanding her is her luxury wardrobe. The family of the Crown Prince are entitled to a state 'salary', which apparently is increasing each year, and some are questioning whether Norway should be spending money in this way.
Maybe it is a case of clothes envy, but recent newspaper reports have squarely pointed the finger of consumerism at Mette-Marit, whio seems to have a penchant for buying very high end coouture dresses by such designers as Valentino, Gianbattista Valli, Prada, etc., and thinks nothing of buying expensive designer label shoes and handbags. It isn't good enough that she gets some of the dresses for free (hidden advertising scream the tabloids) or at a discount. Where they ask are the Norwegian designers when it comes to Mett-Marit's wardrobe?
Where was she at Norwegian Fashion Week in February? Why is she so obsessed with foreign fashion designers? Why indeed. I must admit though I do have a problem in identifying any Norwegian clothes designers. Maybe it's an excuse to go to Oslo in August, and try and get into the Oslo Fashion Week shows!! Actually when you look on the list of designers they represent, there are quite a few, with many operating under company names rather than individual names as you mught expect to see in London, Paris or Milan!!
Here's the link to Oslo fashion week, 12-18th August 2013 www.oslofashionweek.com
I wonder if Mette-Marit will actually be there this year? Or maybe, some of the Norwegian designers should actually start marketting their clothes towards her - but maybe that doesn't sit too well in the Norwegian psyche. I feel that Norwegians tend to understate themselves, and are really bad at promoting themselves, the prevailing thought being that if you like my stuff you will come to me to buy it!
One more thing - Prince Haakon may never become the next King of Norway. He has publically stated that when his turn comes he will ask for a referendum on whether or not the prople want him to become their next King!
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Summer in Norway
OK, I have been a bit remiss. Absolutely no posts in June, sorry!! June was a bit busy though, with guests staying, school work (despite it being their last few weeks before summer hols, they still needed cover, which is great for me!) and moving across Bergen, piece by piece to a different apartment. We had the new apartment from 1st June, but didn't move from our old one until 28th (yep, a month's double rent, not great we know, but it was the only way we could secure the one we have now). Now we are settled again, and guests arrive tomorrow!
We no longer have a wide open view across water to the mountains, but can still see Askøy, and the weather coming in from the Atlantic! Today we are forecast heavy rain and 14 degrees - summer indeed! Still, as every Norwegian will tell you, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, and no-one puts away the woollen underwear ever here - summer temperatures can be low!!
One thing though that suits cold (water) temperatures are the tasty fjord prawns, which are very much a part of the summer mood here in Scandinavia. Imagine, a sunny terrace, a bowl of fresh pink prawns with their shells on (beady eyes staring at you), a bowl of mayonnaise to dunk in (purists argue it must be made the old- fashioned way with no hint of garlic), sliced white bread (called loff here, wonder if that is where we Brits got the word 'loaf' from?) and a glass of Sancerre, or other good white wine, that is the taste of a Scandinavian summer.
Well, weather notwithstanding, it seems the traditional prawn peeling get together will not be taking place so often this summer in many homes. There are fewer prawns to fish, although no-one can say why (global warming maybe?). In fact it is so bad the fishermen doubt they will fill their quota this season. It has been the same now for the past five years! One creature that has increased in population though is the jellyfish. Apparently this causes a bit of a problem for the prawn fisherman, as the jellyfish get caught up in the trawl net and cause a huge soggy mess when mixed together with the sharp prawn shells - I imagine that must look, and feel pretty disgusting!
So, prices are up, supply is down and the weather is definitely reflecting a sorry scenario! So now I know why, a) most Norwegians who have an outside area to sit in opt for some kind of patio warmer to add to the bbq, etc. and b) we haven't eaten many summer prawns this year as they are averaging NOK220 a kilo (£24 or $35) and you need at least half a kilo per person! That's about the same price as an average steak here (per kilo). And don't even get me started on the price of a bottle of Sancerre!!!
Statistics for the mathematically minded|
Amount of prawns fished in metric tons|
2008: 8 078
2009: 6 540
2010: 5 236
2011: 4 961 (quota was for over 7,400 tons, but the prawns just weren't there)
2012: 2 093 (fished so far this year and they can fish up to 5855 tons)
Source: Norsk Råfisklag
We no longer have a wide open view across water to the mountains, but can still see Askøy, and the weather coming in from the Atlantic! Today we are forecast heavy rain and 14 degrees - summer indeed! Still, as every Norwegian will tell you, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, and no-one puts away the woollen underwear ever here - summer temperatures can be low!!
One thing though that suits cold (water) temperatures are the tasty fjord prawns, which are very much a part of the summer mood here in Scandinavia. Imagine, a sunny terrace, a bowl of fresh pink prawns with their shells on (beady eyes staring at you), a bowl of mayonnaise to dunk in (purists argue it must be made the old- fashioned way with no hint of garlic), sliced white bread (called loff here, wonder if that is where we Brits got the word 'loaf' from?) and a glass of Sancerre, or other good white wine, that is the taste of a Scandinavian summer.
Well, weather notwithstanding, it seems the traditional prawn peeling get together will not be taking place so often this summer in many homes. There are fewer prawns to fish, although no-one can say why (global warming maybe?). In fact it is so bad the fishermen doubt they will fill their quota this season. It has been the same now for the past five years! One creature that has increased in population though is the jellyfish. Apparently this causes a bit of a problem for the prawn fisherman, as the jellyfish get caught up in the trawl net and cause a huge soggy mess when mixed together with the sharp prawn shells - I imagine that must look, and feel pretty disgusting!
So, prices are up, supply is down and the weather is definitely reflecting a sorry scenario! So now I know why, a) most Norwegians who have an outside area to sit in opt for some kind of patio warmer to add to the bbq, etc. and b) we haven't eaten many summer prawns this year as they are averaging NOK220 a kilo (£24 or $35) and you need at least half a kilo per person! That's about the same price as an average steak here (per kilo). And don't even get me started on the price of a bottle of Sancerre!!!
Statistics for the mathematically minded|
Amount of prawns fished in metric tons|
2008: 8 078
2009: 6 540
2010: 5 236
2011: 4 961 (quota was for over 7,400 tons, but the prawns just weren't there)
2012: 2 093 (fished so far this year and they can fish up to 5855 tons)
Source: Norsk Råfisklag
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