Efling Union extends its warmest congratulations to its women members and to all women in Iceland on Women's Rights Day. Today, 19 June, marks 111 years since Icelandic women aged 40 and over got the right to vote and stand for election to the Althingi, Iceland's Parliament. In 1920, with the adoption of a new Constitution, the voting age for women was lowered to 25. Women's Rights Day is a day of celebration, but above all, it is a day of struggle. True gender equality has yet to be achieved in the Icelandic labour market, and Efling's women members know this from first-hand experience. According to surveys conducted by Varða, the Labour Market Research Institute, Efling's women members face some of the most difficult conditions in the Icelandic labour market. A large proportion struggle to make ends meet, around half report poor mental health, and more than half are at risk of burnout. This is unacceptable. Efling's women members, along with working women across Iceland, keep society running. They are the driving force behind the economy, caring for children, older people, and those who are ill. They deserve respect, decent pay and working conditions, and recognition for the invaluable contribution they make. That is Efling's demand on Women's Rights Day, and every other day of the year. Happy Women's Rights Day.
Efling union wishes its female members and all women in the country a happy Women's Rights Day. Today, June 19, 111 years have passed since Icelandic women, 40 years and older, gained the right to vote and run for the Althing. In 1920, with the adoption of a new constitution, the age limit was lowered to 25 years. Women's Rights Day is a holiday, but it is also a day of struggle. The situation is that gender equality in the Icelandic labour market is still far off. This is something Eflingkonur have tried on their own. According to the results of surveys by the Labour Market Research Institute, Eflingkonur are facing the most difficult situation in the Icelandic labour market. A large proportion of them have difficulty making ends meet, the mental health of about half of them is extinguished and more than half are heading towards burnout. This will not be solved by this. Eflingkonur, and other working women, keep Icelandic society running. They are the ones who keep the wheels of the economy turning, caring for children, the elderly and the sick. They deserve respect and humane conditions, and they deserve to be valued for their worth. This is the demand Efling on Women's Rights Day, as on all other days. Happy Women's Rights Day.
Efling Union wishes its members and everyone in Iceland a happy National Day on 17 June. Efling would like to remind members who are working today that 17 June is a public holiday classified as a major holiday under collective agreements, and work performed today must be paid at the applicable major holiday rate. Efling also encourages its Icelandic members to make their international colleagues aware of this entitlement. Our work creates the value!
