Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, Chairman of Efling, writes.
Much is discussed in Icelandic society about women’s rights and the so-called “inclusion” of people of foreign origin. However, the treatment of Andreina Edwards Quero, a union representative of the cleaning company Ræstitækni ehf., shows just how far there is to go regarding the status of immigrant women in low-wage jobs in the Icelandic labor market.
Andreina spoke out in a striking interview on RÚV’s evening news last Friday, and her case was subsequently covered in more detail by RÚV and Vísir. However, her story is not just an individual’s experience but a broader example of systemic issues.
A Union Representative in the line of fire
Adreina’s trial began in March 2024 when the management of Ræstitækni ehf. started targeting her for her work as a union representative. She was accused of spreading false information, despite no basis for such claims. She was told she needed to ask for permission before discussing wage issues with her coworkers. Matters escalated to the point where she was forced to stand before her coworkers at a staff meeting and make a false confession. These actions by Ræstitækni ehf. against a union representative are a direct attack on workers’ rights to organize and advocate for themselves.
Union representatives like Andreina are the backbone of labor rights advocacy. Their role is to ensure that workers are informed of their rights, receive protection, and have avenues to voice concerns to their employers. By silencing Andreina, Ræstitækni ehf. has directly undermined the legally protected mechanisms that workers rely on to hold employers accountable.
Exploitation of Vulnerable Groups
The employees of Ræstitækni ehf., most of whom are immigrants from Venezuela and speak only Spanish, have had to work under conditions best described as inhumane. They are required to clean up to 13 different locations scattered around town in a single day under a strict schedule, are monitored by GPS tracking devices, and are denied basic facilities such as access to toilets and rest areas. These workers are treated as machines or tools rather than human beings deserving of dignity and respect.
The company’s use of time-measured piecework is another layer of exploitation. Ræstitækni ehf. has refused to cooperate with Efling to assess work speeds, forcing Efling to conduct its independent study with the help of an international expert. The results showed that employees were required to complete their tasks at an unbearable pace, yet none received the legally mandated 20% wage increase that should accompany such working conditions under collective agreements.
Workplace safety in shambles
What is also deeply concerning about the working conditions at Ræstitækni ehf. is the company’s neglect of fundamental workplace safety and accommodations. A workplace safety inspection revealed that Andreina, while pregnant, had no access to a restroom and had to use a container she kept in her car. The management’s disregard for employee safety and well-being was evident in their response—they pretended to be unaware of these conditions, even though they had themselves ordered the workplace safety assessment.
A secluded free state for employers
The management of Ræstitækni ehf. has repeatedly dismissed Efling’s concerns about employee working conditions by pointing out that they generously provide workers with barbecued food and yogurt for breakfast. They claim that their employees are happy, and in some cases, that may be true. Salaries in Iceland are higher than in their home countries, and naturally, workers are less likely to protest violations of their rights if they are unaware of them and have no means to educate themselves.
The strategy of Ræstitækni ehf. is to create a closed-off environment where information about workers’ rights is withheld from immigrant employees and to make them believe that yogurt and barbecues can replace respect for the minimum standards set by collective agreements. In this free state of the employer, the company maximizes its profits—no wonder it can afford to hand out yogurt when they are saving up to 20% in labor costs by violating agreements on time-tracked piecework.
Silence does not protect us
Andreina’s story is a reminder to Icelandic society that the fight for basic labor rights is still ongoing for immigrant workers. This fight is about human dignity, fairness, and justice. It is about the right to organize in the workplace, to speak out, and to demand better conditions.
We must stand by Adreina and workers in similar situations. We must demand that Ræstitækni ehf. be held accountable for its violations. We must insist that SA the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise stop supporting companies that mistreat their workers. Finally, we must demand proper enforcement of collective agreements.
Andreina’s courage in the face of oppression is inspiring. I want to end by making her words my own: “I know what it is like to fear speaking up, to be afraid of losing your job, to be far from home and unsure whether anyone will support you. But silence does not protect us. Our voice is the best tool we have to demand respect and fair working conditions. We are not alone. I took the first step, but this is just the beginning.”
The article was first published on Visir.is on February 19th, 2025.