Growing food queues at the country’s voluntary organizations and challenging economic times for many were the subject of Thursday’s “Debate” broadcast on NRK.
Belinda Andersen, deacon worker in the Salvation Army, took part in the broadcast. She said that the Salvation Army had taken action when a single mother on work verification allowance came to them with severe toothache and inflammation.
However, the dentist could not do anything for her, because they had to wait for NAV to process the case, with a processing time of up to three weeks. Then the Salvation Army took action and paid the bill.
– Of course we help. We can’t do it very often, because then the money disappears quickly, but in some cases we have to do it, said Andersen, who was also aware that it was not unusual for people to be caught in the system.
– I don’t think that is the general picture
NAV director Hans Christian Holte is NAV director.
After being asked directly by Solvang, he acknowledged that NGOs should not pay people’s dental bills.
– We shouldn’t have it that way. What Belinda, the Salvation Army and others say in stories where people are not greeted well enough at NAV, we must take seriously and simply do better.
At the same time, he acknowledged that people have been followed to the Salvation Army from NAV, as Fafo has pointed out in a new report.
– What emerges in the report from Fafo that you referred to is that people have been followed from NAV to the Salvation Army. There is a variation here, because it is also said that NAV supervisors have mentioned the possibility of going to the Salvation Army.
Holte also emphasized that volunteering should be a supplement to the welfare services, and not a replacement for these.
Also read: “Nils” has to get food from the Salvation Army: – Expensive to be poor in Norway
Red and FrP agreed
A report from Fafo which shows that NAV sends people to these food queues formed much of the basis for the debate. In the discussion, Rødt’s Mimir Kristjansson and the Progress Party’s Sylvi Listhaug were among the two who used the same language about the situation.
– The queues are too long and they are a declaration of bankruptcy for the welfare state. In Norway, one should have the right to food, electricity, housing and should not be dependent on someone’s generosity, to go begging or stand hat in hand to get it, said Kristjansson.
Listhaug agreed with his political colleague, and said this about the Norwegian welfare model:
– I think it has failed when we see that people are referred from NAV to food distribution. NAV will precisely provide for the basic needs, food, a roof over their heads and what gives people security in their lives.
Høyre’s Henrik Asheim agreed that the food queues are too long, and that the public sector should have a safety net that ensures that those who drop out of working life receive the financial support that enables them to manage in everyday life.
– But having said that, I think that the volunteering and the offers they make, including food delivery, is a great offer, because it means that quite a few of those who need a little extra help..
– Must work even harder
Storting representative Kathrine Kleveland from the government partner the Center Party also took part in Thursday’s debate.
When she talked about how the government wanted less social and geographical differences, presenter Fredrik Solvang wanted to know why people are sent to food queues by NAV, while the Center Party is in government.
To which Kleveland replied:
– Then I have to say that we have increased a lot of things. At every crossroads, we have increased support for those who have the least. Nevertheless, we see that this is needed. Then we have to work even harder to achieve that.
Deputy head of the government’s budget partner, Kirsti Bergstø in SV, was also aware that the queues were too long. She believed that the public sector had something to learn from volunteering.
– If you come to pick up food at a food distribution, you will often be asked how many people are in the family. If you come to Nav and our welfare, you will often be asked for account statements and checks. Some of those who are in the food queue now say that they find it demanding to be met in that way.
– It is probably because it is your and my tax money that is going out, asked Solvang.
– We can both think that we should use the money to meet people’s needs, but at the same time meet people with trust and an open door. An open and accessible NAV is what is needed, where we can meet our needs for security, food and welfare when it is our turn to struggle, Bergstø replied.
