Watch the entire podcast featuring Marit Lind above, or tune in here:
Marit Lind stands at the helm of Helse Nord, an institution that employs around 20,000 people and boasts a turnover exceeding NOK 22 billion. Covering 45% of Norway’s vast land area, including the remote Svalbard, Helse Nord provides healthcare services to 9% of the nation’s population.
The controversy surrounding her salary—NOK 2.5 million, or NOK 3.2 million with allowances—ignited a fierce backlash, particularly evident during her recent appearance on NRK’s Debate. There, Lind, alongside chairman Renate Larsen, faced intense scrutiny from host Fredrik Solvang and other participants.
“Nothing went well,” Lind reflected in the podcast “Stavrum & Eikeland”. “We were meant to discuss a specific topic, but we never got there.”
Fierce Debate
The editorial pages in Northern Norway have been ablaze with discussions, with Gunnar Stavrum, editor-in-chief of Nettavisen and presenter of “Stavrum & Eikeland”, describing the responses as alarmingly aggressive.
“I’m avoiding the comment sections for my own peace of mind,” Lind admitted candidly.
The backlash extends beyond public commentary; Lind has also received a stream of private messages that veer into harassment territory.
“There’s a limit to what I can endure as a private individual,” Lind expressed, noting the emotional toll it has taken on her.
When prompted about the aftermath of her Debate appearance, she conceded, “Yes, I’ve received some unsettling messages.”
In response to probing questions, she recounted some of the more distressing ones: “Pray to God I resign,” and, “I get sick just seeing you,” were among the messages she received across various platforms, including Messenger and SMS, some sent anonymously while others used full names.
“I’ve tried reading some of them, but it’s become too much. It affects me,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
Watch Lind speak about the harassment here:
Regrets immediately after this: – Not cleverly said
1:19
Ola Borten Moe: Public money is being squandered: – That is half of the Finnish state budget
Carl I. Hagen: Sylvi must be prepared to take over as prime minister at any moment
Public Sector Salaries Under Fire
The debate surrounding executive salaries in the public sector has reached a fever pitch in recent years. Many argue that no one in Health Norway should earn more than the Health Minister, currently taking home about NOK 1.7 million. Others, including the Center Party’s leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, advocate for a cap of NOK 2.1 million—the Prime Minister’s salary in Norway.
“I understand the questions being raised, but it’s too simplistic to focus solely on that, overlooking the responsibilities we manage,” Lind countered, asserting the need for a broader perspective on the issue.
When asked if a salary cap would deter her from managerial roles, she replied frankly, “My motivation isn’t just the pay. But if salaries drop while I could earn more in an easier role, I would have to reconsider.”
In “Stavrum & Eikeland”, listen to Lind delve deeper into her experiences with harassment and the complexities of executive salaries.
Helse-Norge comprises four major companies responsible for healthcare provision in their respective regions. This structure emerged from the health enterprise reform initiated in 2002, which reallocated the state’s responsibility for specialized health services from local municipalities to regional health enterprises, as noted by Store Norske Leksikon.
Many are calling for reform. In her appearance on “Stavrum & Eikeland”, Lind shares insights into the current operations, highlighting both the successes and challenges, as well as discussing ways to enhance efficiency in Norway’s healthcare system.
Discover more episodes of “Stavrum & Eikeland” here:
Daniella: A survivor of forced marriage and rape from age 13, with family complicity
Durek Verrett: Opens up about his upbringing, his mother, and experiences of racism: – Friends thought I was a drug dealer
Thomas Øye: – I am not a representation of “Exit”
Martin Bech Holte: – Norway spends twice as much on illness and disability as the next country
Former Statnett chief delivers a clear message regarding Norway’s electricity subsidy: – I hope we will phase out that program
Christian Ringnes: – I envisioned the government’s quarter at a cost of NOK 12 billion