Ethnic discrimination still a problem on the Norwegian labour market

Four out of ten Oslo residents with non-Western background have felt discriminated against in the job seeker’s process, according to a new survey. Leader of the Organisation against public discrimination warns of a consequent "brain drain" from Norway.

Forty percent of Oslo residents with a non-Western background report that they have experienced ethnic discrimination on the labour market.
The shocking figure represents a major setback for integration and ethnic equality in the capital.

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What kind of country do we live in?

No Norwegian name, no job

Sheraz Akhtar is yet another example of the hurdles facing non-Norwegians seeking a job in Norway.
Chartered engineer Sheraz Akhtar, 31, has had 250 job rejections in five years. His qualifications are supposed to be in hot demand.

In the spring of 2002 he graduated, but since then has only been able to get work as a newspaper carrier, waiter, interpreter or substitute teacher.

But unlike many immigrants who have endured similar treatment, Akhtar is a Norwegian citizen and has lived in Norway since he was three months old. Apart from the age of 13-19 he has lived his entire life in Norway and his further education is Norwegian. Dropping any mention of his high school years in Pakistan has also failed to help.
Akhtar has been advised to send in applications under another name.
Let's hope he gets a job soon....

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View from the place I spend eight hours a day, five days a week and almost 47 weeks a year, my job...