Career
He started his career as a typographer, and became involved in the local labour union. He rose up the ladder and became leader of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions in 1934. He left in 1939 to become Minister of Labour in the cabinet Nygaardsvold.
During the German occupation of Norway he also headed, in exile, the Ministry of Trade.
He relinquished both posts in 1945, but from 1946 to 1963 he directed the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.