Working on oil platforms in Norway

Working conditions on oil platforms

It is proposed to work under a contract, its duration is usually from 6 to 12 months. It can be extended subsequently.

You need to work here on a rotational basis, the period from 20 to 180 days is determined by the terms of the contract.

The work schedule depends on who you will work with: an 8-hour working day for people who serve and help the main personnel, for technical personnel there is a regulated break after 4 hours.

After completion of the watch, leave with departure to shore is due for 14 - 46 days.

Salary amount

State legislation has established the minimum wage for certain sectors of the economy.

Salary (euros per hour) depending on qualifications

If a specialist working in Norway has a diploma from a university in the country or an accredited university in a foreign country, then the salary cannot be lower than 44,150 kroner for a master's degree and no less than 41,000 kroner for those who have completed a bachelor's degree.

When performing work in excess of labor standards established by the government, allowances are provided:

• overtime work – 110% of the rate;
• work on weekends and holidays – 150% of the employee’s average salary.

Work on weekends and holidays is paid at an increased rate

Average salary in the country

The average monthly salary remains a record high. As of mid-2021, this is 44,810 CZK or 1,756 euros. Statistics show that men, on average, earn almost 14% more than women.

Pay for different occupational groups varies significantly. Let's give some values.

Taxes

Norway's tax system is one of the most complex and confusing in the world. The income contribution is 23%, an additional rate is introduced, depending on annual earnings:

• 0% - up to CZK 170,000/year;
• 1.4% - up to 238,000 CZK/year;
• 3.3% - up to 598,000 CZK/year;
• 12.4% up to CZK 962,000/year;
• 15.4% - CZK 963,000/year and above.

The kingdom also provides for a national contribution. Its amount depends on the type of income: from pension – 5.1%, from salary – 8.3%, from entrepreneurial activity – 11.4%.

Norway's tax system is one of the most complex and confusing in the world.

On a note! Each average citizen gives about 31.2% of their income to the government.

Requirements for potential employees

To get a job in Norway, you must meet certain requirements:

1. Diploma of education. Russian citizens will have to pass an exam confirming it (if you did not receive your education in Europe).
2. Know how European technology and special programs function
3. Good command of English or Norwegian
4. Experience working in a group with different nationalities (training is possible)
5. Good health without diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, heart, vision and hearing. Confirmed by relevant certificate.
6. Age restrictions for men are up to 55 years old, women – up to 50. In fact, the employee must be even younger.
7. Certificates of no criminal record, drug addiction.

And of course, endurance is required, because often there are storms and strong winds on the oil platform.

Seasonal work in Norway

It is worth mentioning seasonal work in Norway, which has become more accessible for our people. So, from similar vacancies you can choose the following options:

See also: Work abroad for Russians without knowledge of the language; vacancies for men

· horticulture, forestry and agriculture;

· restaurant business and tourism;

· some vacancies in the fishing sector.

However, just so you understand, the possibilities in this case are somewhat different. You can only work for half a year (6 months), after which you must leave the country for at least 6 months. It is also necessary to obtain a special certificate from local authorities indicating the lack of necessary personnel. Another unpleasant moment is that in this case you cannot take your family with you.

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How and where to find a job

To find a job you need to make some efforts, write a competent resume, prepare your diplomas, passports, and improve your English (Norwegian) language.

On the sites

You can try to look for a job yourself on the following sites:

• at the labor exchange (website – https://arbeidsplassen.nav.no);
• on www.finn.no – the largest commercial website with vacancies.
• careerjet.no.
• jobbnorge.no.
• nav.no.

Through agencies

Use the services of recruitment agencies. For a fee, they will provide you with information about available vacancies and help you prepare documents.

Here is a list of the main ones:

• conocophillips.no;
• adecco.no;
• orion.no.
• norwayexports.

How can a foreigner find a job?

To qualify for a work permit in Norway, you must receive an offer from an employer. That is, the first step is to search for a vacancy. It can be carried out independently or through agencies engaged in the employment of foreigners.

The largest and most current database of vacancies is collected on the Norwegian website of the Ministry of Labor. Another effective way to find a job is to visit the websites of companies in the northern kingdom. This opens up the opportunity for the applicant to send his resume directly to the employer. You can search for Norwegian companies through special Internet resources, for example gulesider.

And another option where you can find specific job offers are thematic forums and social networks. It is through them that the opportunity to communicate with experienced migrants and receive valuable advice is provided.

Salaries and taxes

Work on oil platforms in Norway is highly paid due to the country's developed economy and large income from oil production, reaching 9,000 euros per month.

Of course, not everyone receives such income, it all depends on the specialty.

• A mechanical engineer on an oil platform (1–3 years of experience) earns from 4,500 euros;
• More experienced specialists – managers – 6,000-9,000 euros.
• A cleaner, painter or handyman will of course have a lower salary.

Income tax of 24% and social tax of 7.9-8.7% will be withheld from salaries in 2021. It is used for social protection of the population.

Average incomes of immigrants in Norway

The Norwegian economy is constantly in need of an influx of new labor resources from other countries. Migrants who come to work in this country are treated with loyalty. In total, more than two million foreign specialists work in Norway. There is no discrimination in terms of wages. Moreover, Norwegians are happy to give up jobs to migrants in what they consider difficult areas of activity, since they themselves prefer not to engage in hard physical labor.

Migrants can get a job on a seasonal or permanent basis. Their workers are needed:

• in the field of production and processing of fish and seafood;
• in the oil industry;
• in construction;
• in forestry and agriculture.

In the Svalbard archipelago, Norwegian employers willingly accept visitors from the CIS countries for miner vacancies.

The table shows the average salaries that visiting specialists can expect, depending on their chosen field of employment.

Work permit and required documents

In order to find a job in Norway, you need to obtain a work permit; it allows you to stay in the country, leave it and return. It is issued for a period of 1, 2, 3 years.

Norway has recently simplified obtaining a work visa by eliminating the requirement for higher education and expanding the list of specialties for employment.

The application can be filled out on the migration service website.

Required documents:

• Completed applications for work permits and work visas, residence in Norway.
• Application for employment in an oil company.
• Employment contract or job offer.

Once you arrive in Norway, you must report to your local tax office to register within 9 days.

Advantages of employment in the European kingdom

According to estimates, Norwegians spend only 45% of their time at work. For Russians, working in Norway is also attractive due to the following factors:

High and growing salaries from year to year. The average salary is 4.5 thousand euros. Over 12 months, wage growth averages 2.5%. One of the lowest unemployment rates in the Old World (about 3%). Social guarantees that also apply to foreigners. The opportunity to receive free education and give it to your children. Accommodation in an area with the highest access to green areas in Europe (forests, parks, etc.). An opportunity to begin the process of immigration to a Northern European power. Interestingly: Immigrants in Norway earn more than in other Scandinavian countries. The employment rate among immigrants exceeds 70%. In terms of the number of working immigrant women (about 66%), the kingdom is far ahead of other European countries. Almost 40% of immigrants in Norway are people with higher education. Norway is called the country of trolls and fjords. Here they value national traditions, respect history, and protect culture and nature. Finding a job in the kingdom is not easy, but it is quite possible. The staff of the Norwegian Embassy advises not to rely on paid “help” from unverified sites and similar resources in this matter. There is a high risk of contacting scammers and losing a significant amount of money.

See also: Minimum salary in Poland 2021 for Ukrainians

Labor market in Norway

During the year, unemployment in Norway does not exceed 5–6%. One of the best indicators in Western Europe. Local employers create comfortable working conditions, provide workers with high salaries and a level of social security. For official employment in Norway, you must find a vacancy in advance, sign an employment contract, obtain a work permit, open a visa and apply for a Norwegian residence permit.

For qualified foreign specialists with permanent employment and seasonal workers for a short period (3-6 months), the requirements and conditions of employment in Norway are different. In addition, in order for an applicant from a third country, including Russia and Ukraine, to receive a vacancy, in most cases Europeans (EU countries) and Norwegian citizens should not apply for a job. The best places to look for work are in Oslo and other major cities such as Bergen and Trondheim.

At the national level, the minimum wage in Norway is regulated by special agreements (collective bargaining agreements) between employers, local authorities and trade unions, and specific hourly rates are set for some sectors of the economy. In general, a qualified specialist with a bachelor's degree receives at least 397.1 thousand crowns per year (about 39.3 thousand euros). According to official data from Statistics Norway, the average salary in Norway in 2021 before taxes is 48.8 thousand kroner per month, which is equivalent to 4.8 thousand euros.

What are the salaries in Norway?

In 2014, the Statistics Bureau of the Scandinavian Kingdom published data on the average salary in the country. Taking into account the payment of overtime hours, bonuses and bonuses, it amounted to NOK 42,300 (EUR 4,600). Salary for men is 4,600 euros, for women – 4,000 euros. It is worth understanding that 4,600 euros is the average salary in Norway, the amount of which decreases after taxes. The tax structure in the country is as follows:

• compulsory insurance – 8.2%;
• income – 27%;
• plus 9% to the previous point if annual earnings exceed NOK 550 thousand.

So, the highest paid professions in Norway are in the following areas: mining industry (average salary - 7,000 euros); insurance and finance (6400 euros); IT (5900 euros); science (5800 euros); energy (5600 euros). Low wages are observed in the hotel and restaurant sector and amount to 3,300 euros.

The information technology sector is considered the most attractive for migrant workers. A developer, programmer, IT project manager can count on 6,200 euros per month. IT project managers and senior managers are valued slightly more at €8,400. Junior staff in this sector earn 5,400 euros.