– I think many people experience, “are we incompetent to stand at a general meeting or not, since we work here?” Our answer is that you are not. But then you stand as a member and decide for yourself what to vote for, says Obos CEO Daniel Kjørberg Siraj to NRK about conversations with the employees.
On June 22, Obo’s general meeting. It is Obo’s supreme authority, and consists of members of the housing giant.
The assembly can change the management, and decide what can be in the articles of association of Obos.
Thursday could NRK reports that 6 out of 10 of the registered applicants from the Obos members are employees. Employees can gain decisive power at the general meeting.
Earlier in April, Siraj wrote a message over Obos’ intranet to more than 2,600 employees.
“Great discussion” among employees
Both Siraj and the communications director encouraged employees to register as representatives of the general meeting.
Prior to this, there were discussions related to this internally, according to Siraj.
– I think it is important that all members attend the general meeting, including employees. We were asked by employees if they could ask, there was a big discussion about it, and said that yes, you can. We have tried to give them as neutral information as possible, says Siraj in Dagsnytt 18.
According to Siraj, there are different views on whether employees can stand as delegates in the general meeting.
But he says it was important to inform employees about the opportunity to ask.
– I understand that some may think that this is not appropriate, but we just want to make it clear that all members, employees or others, must be allowed to have their voices heard. And have the opportunity to participate in member democracy, says Siraj.
Admits bad information
Members who are not employees have pointed out that it is difficult to understand how one can become a delegate at the general meeting.
– Then it may well be, I think you are absolutely right, that we could have been better at providing information. And made it more accessible. We must become better at this in the future, says Siraj in Dagsnytt 18.
He answers Fredrick Tønsvoll Mortvedt, communications consultant at Agenda and Obos member.
Earlier this year, NRK reported that the housing giant sold homes to a rental company. The sale is under external scrutiny by KPMG.
Mortvedt points out that this has engaged many Obos members, who still do not know how to get involved.
At the same time, several radical proposals have been received ahead of this year’s general meeting.
Among other things, members have proposed closing down Obos, while another is about throwing the board that appoints the CEO.
– Will work with our member democracy
Siraj says that information about the general meeting is available, including in the member magazine of Obos, and on Obos’ website. Mortvedt thinks this is not good enough:
– I have not received a single inquiry directly to me about convening a general meeting. The only way this has happened is through joint broadcasts. As a newsletter, which I do not receive because I do not want to receive a newsletter, says Mortvedt.
Stein Botilsrud is head of the supervisory board in Obos. It consists of just under 70 Obos members, who are elected at the general meeting.
Botilsrud believes that member democracy in Obos works well.
– We have a supervisory board that meets 5-6 times a year. I experience this as Obos members who are curious and critical. At every meeting, the chairman of the board and the CEO meet, who must stand up for school law and answer questions from members, Botilsrud explains.
Obos has recently received criticism from several quarters. Among others from former Oslo mayor Fabian Stang (H), who believes Obos has so much power that house prices are being driven up.
– The most important thing Obos does for its members, and as I understand that the discussion about Obos is about now, is how we can do more for the members. Get more homes that more people can afford. What Fabian Stang proposes is to leave it to a private capitalist system that shows that they can not, Siraj responds to the criticism, and adds:
– Then we will work with our member democracy, and make sure that the members feel heard in Obos.
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