Resolution of the Delegate Council of Efling at meeting on September 12 2024 where a solidarity action at the restaurant Ítalía is also undertaken:
The Delegate Council of Efling Union condemns the actions of the restaurant manager Elvar Ingimarsson against workers that he hired to work at Ítalía and other restaurants in the last years. Close to 40 individuals have sought the assistance of the union due to contract violations and wage theft. The pattern of these cases is clear: Salaries are calculated as too low, they are paid late or never, necessary documents are not issued, and staff are cheated off payments to their union.
The Delegate Council declares full solidarity and support to those who have suffered wage theft, betrayal, and abuse from Elvar Ingimarsson. The Delegate Council applauds the courage of those who have chosen to tell their stories publicly.
The Delegate Council encourages everyone intending to do business with Elvar Ingimarsson’s restaurants to inform themselves about the deplorable treatment of staff that is practiced there.
The Delegate Council finally expresses deep disappointment due to the inaction of the Icelandic authorities. It is clear for all to see that wage theft and labor abuses have increased drastically in the Icelandic labor market in recent decades. This burden is heaviest for immigrant workers, but it undermines the welfare of all workers in the end.
The reason why wage theft is widespread is that in Iceland there reigns an absolute lack of consequences for violators. No fines come with these violations. The government that is still sitting promised at the signing of the “Lífskjarasamningar” contracts in 2019 that laws against labor market violations would be put in place. This promise was betrayed. Efling launched a campaign in the Fall of 2020 to raise awareness about the situation.
The Delegate council demands that action be taken without delay, and that the government accept responsibility for the situation of those who suffer wage theft in the Icelandic labor market.
