Work Capacity Assessment: Reforms or an Attack?

Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands invites to an open discussion meeting about work capacity assessment. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 20th at 16:30 in the house of Sjálfsbjörg, Hátúni 12.

Following a long prelude, the Ministry of Welfare, under the leadership of Þorsteinn Víglundsson, has set itself the stated goal of implementing work capacity assessment instead of disability assessment. In June this year, a special was appointedworking groupon its implementation. Disabled people, their interest groups, and others have seriously questioned work capacity assessment and pointed out its potential harmful effects. Examples includewritings of Steindór J. Erlingssonand the acclaimed filmI, Daniel Blakefrom 2016 which poignantly shows how badly work capacity assessment can affect individuals with reduced capacity.

It is clear that the implementation of work capacity assessment carries various risks and that the major change it entails can have many unforeseen consequences. It is uncertain whether sufficient awareness of the rights and needs of disabled people exists in the Icelandic labor market. The question also arises whether the implementation of work capacity assessment will be used as a pretext to cut public support for disabled people, and even shift it to municipal benefit systems. It is also a concern whether sufficient attention is paid to the voices of disabled people themselves in discussions about matters concerning their living conditions and fundamental rights.

At the meeting, three individuals who are well acquainted with the matter will give presentations:

• Ásta Dís Guðjónsdóttir, coordination manager of Pepp Ísland, chairperson of Sjálfsbjörg in the Capital Region and a member of the interim board of Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands
• Eiríkur Smith, disability scholar and advocate for disabled people's rights
• Sigríður Hanna Ingólfsdóttir, social worker at Öryrkjabandalag Íslands

After the presentations, there will be an opportunity for questions from the audience. At the end of the meeting, a resolution will be put forward for adoption. The moderator will be Katrín Baldursdóttir, labor market expert and a member of Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands.

Time:Wednesday, September 20, 16:30 (program will conclude no later than 18:00)

Location:Community Center of Sjálfsbjörg, Hátúni 12, 105 Reykjavík (entrance on the south/upper side of the building) Admission free and all are welcome as long as space permits.

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Image: still from the film of the British director Ken Loach,I, Daniel Blakefrom 2016