[alephnil]

There is no problem firing people in Norway as long as you have a real need to reduce the workforce, or even reduce the headcount in one profession and at the same point increase in another (like in restructuring). This is easier in Norway than many other European countries, especially in Southern Europe.

What you can't do is to fire someone because you don't like them or fire someone while you at the same time is hiring for positions the individuals you are firing are qualified for.

While what you say about contractors are only partially right. If the contractors are hired as individuals, they can legally claim a permanent position after working there for three years. If they on the other hand are engaged through a consulting company or similar, that will not be the case, since then the contract is between two companies. If the consulting agency does not have other contracts available, they can downsize.

[vidarh]

I'm norwegian, and have run companies (and done consulting) in Norway, so yes, I'm familiar with the limitations, which is why most contractors are hired through companies - whether personal AS's or an agency. When I was working that way I don't think the idea of hiring someone on a contract basis personally was something anyone ever brought up, exactly for this reason.