Norwegian Fisheries Minister commits to achieving a more gender-equal maritime industry

The Minister of Fisheries and Sea, Cecilie Myrseth, met on Monday, with labor and employer organizations in the maritime industry to develop a collaboration agreement focused on promoting gender equality. Last year, the government already launched a gender equality strategy for the sector.

"The maritime industry is still male-dominated, especially at sea, and there are challenges related to working conditions, attitudes, and harassment. When the industry needs to attract labor and maintain its competitive advantage in the face of changes in the market and society, they cannot just recruit from half of society," said Minister of Fisheries and Sea, Cecilie Myrseth.

According to the Ministry, the collaboration agreement will address four areas of focus: recruitment and role models, a workplace for everyone, a harassment-free work environment, and an adaptable workplace.

Regarding this, Myrseth calirief: "If we are to achieve more female representation and greater gender equality in the maritime industry, everyone must move in the same direction. The first step is to establish collaboration on how we will work towards increased equality in the industry, but we must also document progress over time so that adjustments can be made if changes are slow to come."

"The collaboration agreement commits all parties and can become an important shared tool for work. Gender equality is high on the agenda for the organizations, and we had a constructive first meeting," she added.

Finally, she pointed out the important role that international agents also play: "I will also raise gender equality and diversity in all dialogues with our international partners. The maritime industry is international, and gender equality in the industry is equally important beyond our national borders."