The Socialist Party condemns the government's attempts to shirk responsibility for the deterioration of welfare systems and infrastructure onto refugees.

It is obvious to everyone that the austerity policy of every government since before the turn of the century has weakened the community's welfare systems and infrastructure. The austerity policy has undermined the living standards and security of the public, especially low-income earners. It is necessary to rebuild and strengthen the welfare systems and infrastructure, not least the social housing system. These are urgent tasks that the authorities should focus on.It is therefore shameful and immoral when ministers cast all responsibility for this situation onto a small group of asylum seekers. Apart from the long-standing austerity policy, the increased strain on weakened infrastructure in recent months can primarily be attributed to the uncontrolled increase in tourists and the arrival of workers to serve them. The number of refugees has also increased, but primarily from Ukraine and Venezuela, people to whom ministers offered special protection in Iceland. The number of refugees from elsewhere has barely increased. Their arrival does not create any particular problem here.To strengthen and enhance basic systems and infrastructure to meet the increase in population and over-tourism, it is most natural to impose fees on the tourism industry so that it pays for the increased strain it causes. This is proposed inthe resource policythe Party's. It suggests arrival fees or an overnight stay tax. The most obvious step is to abolish the special tax discount for the tourism industry, moving it from the 11% VAT bracket to the 24% bracket, where almost all economic activity is.In theforeign policyof the Socialist Party, emphasis is placed on humanitarianism towards refugees, but it also points out how important these people are for our future. It states:“Today, the world faces the largest migrations in history, and refugees have not been more numerous since the Second World War. This is a consequence of wars and power struggles, the economic problems of vulnerable nations in globalized capitalism, and climate change. It must be anticipated that the number of refugees will significantly increase in the coming years, not least due to climate change. All nations of the world must take responsibility for this problem, and to address it, we need to revise the immigration laws we operate under today. Immigrants will increase in number in the coming years and decades and strengthen Icelandic society, correct an unfavorable age composition, and ensure us increased power to support welfare and justice within society. Our interests therefore align with the people who have been displaced and are seeking a new home where they can ensure security, peace, and a decent livelihood for themselves and their families. Refugees must be welcomed with humanitarianism and human rights as guiding principles, bearing in mind that we are all inhabitants of the same earth.”Instead of basing its policy on refugee affairs on humanitarianism and compassion, the government has chosen to throw refugees onto the street, to the mercy of God and the elements, as the public has witnessed these days. This conduct goes against the will of a large majority of the public, who want to allow people to seek security and fortune in Icelandic society.The Socialist Party condemns the government's actions towards refugees and its plans to turn helpless people into scapegoats for the authorities' own long-standing neglect of the community's infrastructure, housing development, and welfare systems.Drafted and approved at a joint meeting of the Executive Board (Framkvæmdastjórn) and the Policy Board (Málefnastjórn) of the Socialist Party.