Around 40% of employees in Norway are at risk of losing their jobs when two platforms have completed their assignments.
Seadrill has 1,050 employees in Norway through Seadrill Norway Crew AS, headquartered in Stavanger. In the spring, probably in March, the “West Bollsta” platform will complete its drilling program, and the contract with Lundin will end. In addition, the “West Hercules” platform leaves for Canada for a six-month mission starting in February or March.
This means that up to 400 employees will be made redundant at the company.
– It is with a heavy heart that the dismissals will probably be sent out just before Christmas. But we had a good process for a month, and we spent a lot of time getting it right. Everyone gets three months’ notice, even those who haven’t been employed for a long time, Arild Jenssen, manager of the Safe in Seadrill club, tells Aftenbladet.
The number of people who will actually lose their jobs is not yet clear. Among other things, it is not known how many people will eventually be able to continue working in Canada. There, Canadians have preferential rights to work on the platform.
– So far we have been approved for 52 Norwegians to work on the platform. If they don’t have enough Canadian workers, more Norwegians will be able to find jobs, says Jenssen.
In the downsizing, seniority will be decisive.
