“We must stand with Hvalur’s employees”

Vilhjálmur Birgisson, chairman of the Akranes Trade Union, has called on Iceland's Minister of Industry, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, to stand with the employees of Hvalur, a whaling company, rather than solely criticizing them. Birgisson stated on Facebook that while he does not condone the behavior of individual employees, society should always show respect for animals. He believes that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to discredit an entire industry.

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I will not make excuses for the behavior of individual employees. On the contrary, I believe we should always show respect for animals and under no circumstances give opponents of whaling the opportunity to discredit an entire industry due to the behavior of a few individuals.

Birgisson expressed surprise that the minister seized the opportunity to voice her opposition to whaling but failed to condemn the organized attacks that Hvalur's staff have endured from foreign radical activists. He questioned why the minister has not urged Paul Watson and his associates to cease their threats, harassment, and persecution of Hvalur's employees. He also pointed out the lack of condemnation for individuals who have admitted to sinking whaling ships and causing significant property damage in the name of their activism.

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Why do we not hear the minister call on Paul Watson and his associates to stop their threats, harassment, and persecution of Hvalur's staff?

"Why is it not mentioned that the goal of these activists is to prevent Icelandic people from engaging in legal employment, thereby endangering the job security of hundreds of families?" Birgisson asked. He argued that it is easy to criticize Hvalur's employees when isolated incidents occur, but much harder to support those who face daily threats and constant harassment simply for doing legal work under Icelandic law and government permits.

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It is easy to criticize Hvalur's employees when individual incidents occur, but it is much harder to stand with the people who day after day face threats and constant harassment for the sole reason of working a legal job according to Icelandic laws and government permits.

Birgisson urged the minister to show the employees of Hvalur the understanding, respect, and support they deserve. He stated that a minister's duty includes not only criticizing when something goes wrong but also defending people's right to pursue their legal employment peacefully. He concluded by asserting that Hvalur's employees should not have to live under constant threats and attacks on their livelihoods from radical activists. Like all citizens, they are entitled to the constitutionally protected right to freedom of employment and the right to perform their jobs without fear of threats, persecution, or attempts to strip them of their means of survival.

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The minister's duty is not only to criticize when something goes wrong but also to defend people's right to pursue their legal employment in peace.