Employees of the Norwegian state-owned company Equinor gave up work a few hours ago. This has immediate repercussions on gas exports. Belgium is dependent on Norway for more than 40 percent of its gas imports.
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A strike on the offshore mining platforms immediately hit Norwegian gas exports. Three platforms fell silent. If the strike continues, the company would export 56 percent less gas by Saturday. Just at a time when many European countries are saying goodbye to Russian gas and knocking on Norway’s door. Belgium is also 40 percent dependent on Norwegian gas.
The gas supply to our country is closely monitored. This does not show that Belgium has already felt the impact of the strike. There are also no indications that problems could arise. Tomorrow the gas managers of European member states will meet, Norway will also be there. Belgium will ask whether the strikes will have an impact on deliveries to our country. The gas price in the United Kingdom is again at its highest point in three months due to the strike.
The employees of the gas company are demanding a wage increase of 4 to 4.5 percent. This is necessary to endure the rising lifespan, according to the unions.
Hand off
Norway has a law that makes it possible to ban strikes in exceptional circumstances. But it seems that the Ministry of Labor is keeping its hands off this social conflict. “A wage dispute is being resolved with the social partners,” said the Deputy Minister of Labor.
In addition to gas, the company also exports oil. Also of that, 6.5 percent less would be exported by tomorrow. Norway is also an important exporter to Belgium for oil. 30 percent of the oil entering Belgium was extracted on Norwegian territory.
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