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National Forum of Norway

Official Name:
The Group of Co-ordination for a More Inclusive Working Life (IA)   
 
Internet:
odin.dep.no/aad/arbeidsliv/

Objectives:
The purpose of the IA-agreement is:

• Create a more inclusive workplace for the good of individual employees, workplaces and society,
• Reduce the utilisation of disability benefits and sickness absence,
• Make better use of older employees' resources.

The IA-agreement is based on the following principals:

• Earlier intervention and better methods for following up people with sickness benefits,
• The measures shall be more related to the work place,
• Greater emphasis on functional capacity,
• Active dialogue between employer and employee.  
   
  Working Methods:
  The group of co-ordination meets regularly to discuss relevant topics. 4-6 meetings per year. The ministers from the Ministry of Labour and Government Administration and the Ministry of Social Affairs meets with the leaders from the eight organisations which are partners in the agreement at least twice a year. The agenda on these high-level meetings is to discuss the status on the operative goals in the agreement.
   
  Cooperation Partners:
  The National Insurance Service has a central role in following the agreement, both on a national and regional level. 19 regional centres (National Insurance Service - Centre for Inclusive Workplaces) have been established and have the contact with each enterprise and signs the co-operation agreement on behalf of the authorities.
   
  Priorities:
  In the first two years of the agreement focus has been on implementing the ideas in the agreement in the society and in each individual enterprise. Around 55 percent of all enterprises in Norway have per may 2004 signed a co-operative agreement. The priority in the future is to implement the incentives inside the agreement in each individual enterprise. More quality in the work are believe to create positive result with respect to reduced sickness absence, reduced the number of people on disability benefits.  
   
  Adress/Contact:
  Ministry of Labour and Government Administration
  Leader of secretariat:
  Bent-Ole Grooss
  
  Phone +47 22 24 47 71
  Email: bent-ole.gross@aad.dep.no