Norway is second only to Switzerland in terms of inflows of labour migrants as a share of population, according to a new OECD review of the labour market integration of migrants in Norway. Most migrants come from the European Union, with free movement accounting for about 40 000 in 2012, compared with fewer than 5 000 non-European workers admitted.
“Recruiting Immigrant Workers – Norway” says that Norway is less affected by concern over the global competition for talent, over imminent skills shortages or over the dramatic population ageing faced by many other OECD countries such as Germany or Japan.
This, says the OECD, highlights the role for discretionary labour migration, which already feeds certain key sectors and occupations in Norway, and may play a growing role in the future. Future demand is likely to increase for certain categories of skilled workers. Technology, engineering and the extraction industry are global fields in which Norwegian employers compete worldwide. Other sectors such as healthcare are also expected to look abroad for labour in the future.
The report recommends that Norway:
- Identify target areas where Norway represents a strong competitor for skilled workers who would be more likely to stay
- Eliminate the cap on skilled permits exempt from a labour market test
- Market tertiary education as a pathway to employment in Norway
- Reconsider au pair criteria to ensure that the cultural exchange programme is not a domestic work permit
- Strengthen services for labour migrants and their families
For comment or further information, you can contact Jonathan Chaloff or Theodora Xenogiani of the OECD’s Migration Division