Foreign VR members
It is important to discuss the issues faced by foreign workers in Icelandic society. It is crucial that we all, regardless of our origins, work together to strengthen and enrich our community. The benefits are significant and affect us all. At the initiative of VR's Equality and Human Rights Committee, the union is launching an advertising campaign to remind us that we all want to belong to the same society.
According to the Icelandic National Registry, there are around 80,000 foreign nationals in Iceland, constituting approximately one-fifth of the country's population. Statistics from the Icelandic Statistics Bureau indicate that one in four workers in the labor market is an immigrant. Among VR members, about 17% hold foreign citizenship. This marks a rapid development over the past two decades; in 2005, only 1% of VR members were foreign nationals, and 7% of the workforce were immigrants.
VR emphasizes empowering its foreign members to increase their knowledge of labor rights, reduce violations against them, and strengthen their positions in the workforce. Over the past few months, VR has achieved this through increased visibility, a robust English-language website, improved information dissemination, courses and training, workplace inspections, and enhanced expert services, among other initiatives.
We all have countless questions about society, the labor market, and our rights – sometimes the same questions, sometimes different ones. Let us join hands to build a strong and thriving society for the future.
The content on these pages was developed in collaboration with Jasmina Vajzovic Crnac of Izo Consulting, who specializes in immigrant and refugee affairs. Jasmina has worked in this field for twenty years and was part of the steering group for the development of the Green Paper on immigrant and refugee issues.
Know Your Rights
What is the best thing about Iceland?
Iceland is known for its beautiful nature and clean water, but also for gender equality, safety and welfare to name just a few things. Íslandsstofa has compiled some good reasons to stay.
Is Icelandic hard to learn?
Icelandic is a North Germanic language and is considered quite challenging. See here more on learning Icelandic.
Kennitala meaning?
Kennitala is your ID number, composed of ten digits. The first six of these are the your date of birth in the format DDMMYY. See more here
What should my pay be?
VR’s collective wage agreements provide for individually agreed wages but also contain pay scales which represent minimum rate. See more here. On My Pages, you will find a salary calculator based on VR's forecasting model, providing information on the wages of different jobs.
When will it be daylight again?
Iceland experiences midnigt sun during summer solstice while some places only get a few hours of daylight by winter solstice in December. By spring, mornings and evenings are bright and beautiful.
Terms of notice?
The length of the termination period is based on the accrued rights of the employee at the company on the date of termination. See frequently asked questions on termination of employment.
Have a good weekend in Thai?
ขอให้มีวันหยุดสุดสัปดาห์ที่ดี
Kleinur recipe?
Kleinur is an Icelandic pastry, much like a donut but twisted. If you google kleinur you will find a few different recipes, just try them out.
How do I say thank you in Polish?
Dzięki
What is frídagur verslunarmanna?
Frídagur versunarmanna was first celebrated in 1894. It literally means the shop workers‘ holiday and is a major public holiday according to VR´collective agreement. See here more information
What is a shop steward?
Shop stewards are contact persons between VR and the employer for the benefit of employees. The role of the shop steward is to be available to their colleagues, smooth communications with employers, communicate information and monitor that contracts are upheld in the workplace and that laws on the rights of employees are not violated. See here more information on shop stewards.
Pay during illness?
In the first year of employment, the sick-leave rights are two working days for each month. As for pay, employees shall receive the same amount they would have received had they been working. See frequently asked questions on illness, work accidents and work related diseases.
Þetta reddast meaning?
Þetta reddast means “it will sort itself out” and is a popular expression in Iceland. It conveys a sense of optimism and a belief that although we do not have all the answers, things will eventually work out for the best.