The Norwegian Forestry Agency has notified 97 employees of layoffs. The reason is that the authority’s grant has been reduced by SEK 80 million, corresponding to 15%, in the last three years. The authority currently has just under 800 employees. Source: Timberbiz
“Major efforts have been made over several years to reduce costs. As we announced earlier this spring, it is not enough, we need to reduce our workforce,” general manager Herman Sundqvist said.
Regardless of cost savings in recent years the authority still needs to reduce the budget for 2025 by up to SEK 35 million hence the need to lay off employees.
In three years, the Forestry Agency’s authority grants have decreased by approximately SEK 80 million or 15%. This at the same time as inflation is high and many different costs are increasing. During 2025, certain time-limited externally financed activities will also end and there is also a general austerity measure.
The Norwegian Forestry Agency has offices in all counties and the notices affect employees across the country.
“We will come back to exactly what consequences this has for the business, for ex-ample for our ability to supervise forestry but also give advice and support to forest owners. But it is clear that very strict priorities will be required among our tasks and assignments next year with the conditions that apply now,” says Herman Sundqvist.
