Conclusion of the Policy Board (Málefnastjórn) on welfare issues

The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland (Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands) on welfare issues is:

That a welfare society be operated in this country, working systematically towards a just distribution of wealth and the eradication of poverty.

That everyone be guaranteed access to a welfare system by law, regardless of ability to pay, gender, origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

That welfare services not be operated for profit.

That users participate in the management of welfare affairs, have the right to elect representatives, and sit on committees and boards established by the public authorities.

That no one be left without means of support, and the Icelandic state shall ensure a secure livelihood for pensioners, the elderly, the unemployed, and others in need.

That the state and larger municipalities establish subsistence criteria that take into account wage developments, rent, and other cost fluctuations.

To ensure easy access to all rights within the welfare system through a service representative who provides assistance, as well as a welfare ombudsman who can be contacted if an individual's rights are violated.

That people retain their rights within the welfare system despite moving between municipalities or to other countries for temporary stays.

That social resources be independent of residence, thus preventing discrimination between municipalities.

That children and families with children receive special protection and that all children always have equal economic opportunities.

That services for chronically ill children and their rights do not cease at the age of majority.

That everyone be guaranteed suitable housing, in accordance with the socialists' housing policy.

That the disability pension system be strengthened, and the work capacity assessment be rejected in accordance with the will of ÖBÍ, and the krona-for-krona reductions be abolished.

That elderly citizens be guaranteed appropriate services, whether it be home care, services in nursing or medical institutions, or other social services.

That special attention be paid to the welfare of various vulnerable and marginalized groups.

That addiction be decriminalized and treated as a health problem.

Further reading:

In Iceland, welfare is statutory and shall be accessible to all without conditions, regardless of gender, origin, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, including those who arrive here without means. The welfare system is about creating the conditions necessary for people to feel safe and well, ensuring that everyone's basic needs are met so that people can live with dignity and enjoy general human rights in accordance with the provisions of Icelandic law and international obligations.

Cooperation between the state and municipalities shall be ensured so that basic welfare services are always reliable. It shall also be statutory for municipalities to provide welfare services, whether it concerns housing or other basic services. Furthermore, the state and municipalities shall calculate and publish realistic consumption benchmarks that public institutions and others can use in their calculations.

Public institutions providing services to the general public shall not be privatized, and the state shall not support profit-driven welfare services. Strict laws shall apply to the ownership and operating forms permitted for such services, and supervision shall be maintained.

Users should have active and valid participation in the governance of the welfare system through user interest groups. The demands and resolutions of such groups should be heard, and the needs and wishes of children should also be heard, and in cases of child protection, people who had experience with the system in childhood should also be heard.

The welfare system should promote good mental and physical health and support those who lose skills and income. The system should benefit users without complications. Better continuity in its policy-making should be ensured, and human dignity and welfare in Icelandic society should be emphasized.

The state shall provide residents of each municipality with a welfare service representative who proactively provides information about people's rights, thereby ensuring the flow of information when assistance is needed. People should not have to wait in uncertainty about their livelihood and prove to institutions whose responsibility it is to pay; the municipality's, the state's, the trade union's, or others'. Thus, it is important that welfare system employees do not create more insecurity for the individual than they already face when in need. Furthermore, the state shall appoint a welfare ombudsman to safeguard people's legal security in connection with administrative procedures, appeal routes, and more. To ensure impartiality in cases, such an ombudsman's position shall be funded by the state and not by a municipality, so that local interests do not dictate the course.

It shall be ensured that rights are respected and that residents of different municipalities are treated equally when it comes to services and welfare. Thus, cooperation between the state and municipalities shall be strengthened with the aim of ensuring a high level of social services in municipalities and that they cannot shirk responsibility when it comes to welfare.

It shall be ensured that people do not lose their rights when moving, whether between municipalities or temporarily abroad. Chronically ill children shall not lose rights and services at the age of majority, and the needs of families with children shall be specifically met so that all children are treated equally. The rights of disabled children with dual residency shall be specifically ensured. Furthermore, all public resources for children, such as schools and health services, shall always be free of charge.

The idea of a work capacity assessment instead of a disability assessment shall be abandoned, but rehabilitation and opportunities for employment participation for disability pensioners shall be strengthened, and prejudice against disability in the labor market shall be combated. Furthermore, the krona-for-krona reduction shall be abolished.

It is important that the issues of the elderly are addressed firmly and that systematic work is done to eradicate poverty and waiting lists for adequate resources. Furthermore, people's personal and social networks shall be strengthened, and loneliness shall be combated. This shall be done, among other things, through innovations in the design of communal housing for the elderly. Furthermore, neighborhood-based social services shall be strengthened, and municipalities as well as neighborhood centers shall combat isolation and loneliness through social resources and activities that strengthen people's networks.

Pensioners, the unemployed, and others who rely on the welfare system can always seek rehabilitation and activity free of charge to improve their quality of life. Furthermore, prejudice against those who need to receive social assistance or support shall be systematically combated.

Addiction shall be decriminalized, but the problem created by drug use shall be addressed specifically within health services and social services, and addiction treatment resources shall be greatly strengthened. Special attention shall be paid to prevention, and it shall be based on evidence-based knowledge of the risk factors that lead to the onset of drug use.