Around 40% of employees in Norway may lose their jobs when two rigs 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 be terminated. In addition, the “West Hercules” platform will travel to Canada for a six-month mission starting in February or March.
This means that up to 400 employees are made redundant in 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 organizing it properly. 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, we do not know how many of them will eventually be able to continue working in Canada. There, Canadians have a preferential right to work on the platform.
– We have so far 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 downsizing, seniority will be crucial.
