Former LO leader Yngve Hågensen has died aged 84. LO announced this in a press release on Saturday.

– Yngve Hågensen was a giant, says Jens Stoltenberg in a comment to Dagbladet, which he also shared on his Facebook page.

The head of NATO was Prime Minister at the same time as Hågensen was the head of LO.

– His great commitment is born from a past that has led him to always stand on the side of the weakest. He was both visionary and down-to-earth. He was the unique combination of someone who stood up – and someone who met others, Stoltenberg says.

– Today, my thoughts go out to his family and friends, and to a whole movement that remembers him with deep gratitude, he said.

Gro: – Unforgettable

Former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland had to come under heavy criticism from Hågensen. In his 2004 autobiography, he describes their collaboration in LO and Ap at the time as a “civil war”.

For Dagbladet, Brundtland describes him as an unforgettable shop steward.

– Yngve was an outstanding and unforgettable shop steward in the labor movement, Brundtland told Dagbladet.

– He made important contributions to Lang and the people in a demanding period for the further development of our welfare state. Yngve will be greatly missed, she said.

– Never gave up

Former LO leader Gerd-Liv Valla describes Hågensen as impressive. The two are known for their public feuds in the labor movement.

– Yngve has been a marked and clear LO leader for 12 years. During those years, he put LO and workers’ rights on the agenda in an impressive way, Valla tells Dagbladet.

She says her thoughts are with her bereaved family.

– Yngve, with his very special background, always fought for ordinary people – and working for everyone, I thought, was his number one job. He never gave up there.

Store: – Exceptionally wise

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre describes Hågensen as fearless and strongly committed to working people and international solidarity.

– It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of Yngve Hågensen. He was the boy from the orphanage who became one of the biggest and most important figures in the labor movement, Støre says in a comment to Dagbladet.

– I remember him as exceptionally wise and competent, said Støre.

Støre says he has met Hågensen at regular intervals in recent years.

– He was always full of will, warmth and energy. He shared a great contribution and encouragement. Yngve maintained his commitment and character throughout his life, and he will be missed by many inside and outside the labor movement. Today my thoughts are with the family, says Støre.

– Imposing figure

– He was a towering figure who was a pillar of Norwegian tripartite cooperation, NHO Managing Director Ole Erik Almlid told NTB.

– Hågensen was a community builder who had great respect on all sides. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and loved ones, Almlid said.

Dagbladet updates the case.