Due to an acute shortage of labour, the German occupation authorities resolved to the forcible conscription of Norwegian men and women. This was done by the use of law, introduced in collusion with the collaborationist Norwegian Nazi authorities. The laws were introduced in stages: the first one on 10 October 1940, applied on unemployed persons, followed by another law on 9 July 1941, which allowed for the conscription of Norwegians already in employment, for a six-month long duty. Lastly, on 22 February 1943, a new law permitted the authorities to force Norwegians into labour for an indefinite period of time. While not being held in confinement, the Norwegian could risk punishment if they neglected the work or tried to leave their employer. They were granted salaries as well as a number of social security rights. The wages, however, were kept low as a result of an agreement officially entered into between the Norwegian National trade union centre and the Norwegian Employers' Confederation, but in reality forced upon them by the occupation authorities. Most of the conscripted workers came from jobs in trade and commerce. In total around 50-60,000 Norwegians were conscripted for work for the Germans. Organisation Todt, the employer with the greatest demand for labour, mustered at any time between 15,000 and 20,000 Norwegian workers, which was invariably fewer than they had hoped for. When the supply of Norwegian workers was exhausted, the Germans turned to the use of Soviet prisoners of war, as well as civilian workers from other nations. © 2018 Forlaget Aktuell AS. All rights reserved.

Forced labour Pay policy National work effort Employment German occupation 1940-45

[No Keywords available]