Abid Raja (V) thinks education minister too clumsy during kindergarten strike. He proposes that the government give parents affected by the strike access to take more days of care.
In this way, many people can avoid taking unpaid leave from their jobs, explains Abid Raja.
Think especially of single parents and economically disadvantaged families who are really affected strike of almost four weeks in private kindergartens.
It was Tuesday violate it in voluntary mediation on a future pension for strikers in private kindergartens.
The Liberal deputy leader sits on the Storting’s education committee, which is also responsible for asylum issues. He has long observed how important kindergarten is to many children and families.
– Many parents and families are going through a very difficult time now. I think in particular of families who are struggling economically and socially. Some children benefit particularly from having safe and permanent kindergarten, says Raja, who has himself written a book about his difficult upbringing in Iladalen, Oslo.
Now the politician wants to help parents avoid an even heavier financial burden by having to take unpaid leave from work to care for children affected by the strike.
– Not everyone can afford to take unpaid leave. Not everyone has grandparents nearby who can help with childcare. Therefore, the society and the Minister of Knowledge should stand up, asks Raja.
– Can’t a minister intervene in the event of a strike and conflict between the parties in working life?
– No, but now Tonje Brenna is completely absent. It may appear that the Minister for Education and Children is in hiding, as I sensed during last fall’s teachers’ strike. I will challenge you and Children’s Minister Kjersti Toppe (SP) to extend the number of care days for parents affected by the strike. The state should foot the bill for this, says Abid Raja.
He’s writing a letter about the proposal. Raja is not sure whether the government can make a decision on this by itself or if it requests a decision in the Storting.
– In that case, the chances are very good for a majority, almost predicts Raja, who was recently a minister and himself a minister of culture.
No opening for Raja solution
There is no room in the government for a solution like the one proposed by Raja. Education Minister Tonje Brenna writes in an email to VG:
– This is a legal labor dispute and it is up to the parties to find a solution. What Raja is proposing here amounts to interfering in a legal strike, which I am not going to do.
She adds that:
– Otherwise, the legislation on sick days is with AID (Ministry of Labor and Inclusion).
Labor Minister Marte Mjøs Persen (AP) bears political responsibility for both care days – and the use of the mandatory wage council – which the government has used to end the autumn teachers’ strike.
– I understand that the strike in private kindergartens is a burden for many parents, but the care allowance is a health benefit, writes Persen in an email.
– Unfortunate, but common consequence
It reminds us of what the strike entails as a legal tool in a labor dispute.
– Claims of innocent third parties are an unfortunate but common consequence of strikes and other conflicts in working life. This is one of several factors that working-life parties need to consider when considering what measures they want to use.
– If these costs are incurred or largely compensated by the state, this could influence the parties’ assessment of the use of the tools and also reduce the pressure on the parties to reach an agreement, so that the conflict ends, writes the Minister of Labor .
