DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇸 Iceland /Culture & Society

Icelandic partners sign declaration to boost LGBTQ+ workplace equality

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • A joint declaration was signed by the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Social Affairs, the LGBTQ+ organization Samtökin '78, the Confederation of Icelandic Employers, and labor union organizations to improve equality for LGBTQ+ people in Iceland.
  • An action group will be established to develop educational materials and tools for workplaces to increase knowledge and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues.
  • The initiative aims to address the economic disadvantages faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Iceland, partly due to workplace discrimination.

Icelandic authorities, employers, and LGBTQ+ advocates have signed a declaration to foster equality, diversity, and inclusion in the nation's labor market. The agreement aims to tackle the economic disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, which are partly attributed to workplace discrimination.

It is clear that part of the problem is discrimination in the labor market.

— Þorbjörg Sigríður GunnlaugsdóttirMinister of Justice explaining the economic disadvantages faced by LGBTQ+ people in Iceland.

A dedicated action group will be formed to create educational content, tools, and strategies for workplaces. This group will also enhance knowledge through research and analysis, drawing on existing experience from "Hinsegin vottun" (LGBTQ+ certification) by Samtökin '78 and guidelines from the International Labour Organization (ILO) on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

As the minister for equality, I stand firmly behind LGBTQ+ people in Iceland. The cooperation of the labor movement, employers, and government will be crucial in ensuring real equality in the labor market.

— Þorbjörg Sigríður GunnlaugsdóttirMinister of Justice on the importance of the joint declaration.

Minister of Justice Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir emphasized her support for the LGBTQ+ community, stating that collaboration between labor unions, employers, and the government is crucial for achieving genuine equality in the workplace. Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson, Minister of Social Affairs, expressed pride in participating in the ongoing fight for equality and confidence that the upcoming work will yield tangible results.

With this declaration, we commit to working together to improve the situation of LGBTQ+ people in the labor market. The fight for equality is an ongoing task, and I am proud to be a part of it. I am convinced that the work ahead will yield real results.

— Ragnar Þór IngólfssonMinister of Social Affairs on the commitment to improving the LGBTQ+ situation in the workplace.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog