Policy of Sósíalistaflokks Íslands on labor market issues

The policy of Sósíalistaflokks Íslands on labor market issues is:

that the basic rate of minimum wages is never below the recognized subsistence level.
that the state and municipalities do not lead in low-wage policy.
that the tax-free threshold be raised so that income tax is not paid on wages and pensions that are not sufficient for subsistence.
that employment does not reduce pensions or other benefits.
that social equality be promoted through increased democracy in the labor market.
that the establishment of cooperatives in the form of democratic enterprises owned by employees be promoted.
that employees have the right of first refusal on their workplaces.
that people have ownership rights over their labor contribution.
that quality of life be increased and a more human-friendly society be promoted with a 32-hour work week.
that democracy in trade unions and the activity of members be safeguarded.
that only fund members form the boards of pension funds.

Labor market parties, whether in the private or public sector, shall always use recognized subsistence levels as a benchmark for minimum basic rates that are agreed upon.

The state and municipalities shall be prevented from outsourcing certain job functions (e.g., cleaning and catering) within their workplaces and shall instead hire long-term staff to perform these tasks under the same terms and with the same rights as other public employees.

Pensioners and others who want and are able to work part-time should not face worse terms for their labor contribution, so that people can be prevented from falling into a poverty trap.

Employee involvement in corporate decision-making must be increased, and they must be given an increased share in their profits.

Efforts shall be made to ensure that employees have representatives on the boards of their workplaces, and to aim for the establishment of cooperatives in the form of democratic enterprises owned by employees.

In the event of ownership changes or bankruptcy of companies, employees shall always have the right of first refusal on the company.

The establishment of democratic enterprises shall be facilitated, among other things, with tax incentives and favorable operating loans. Joint-stock companies shall also be given the option to convert into cooperatives and thereby gain access to the same incentives and loans. Only two individuals shall be required for the establishment of cooperatives.

People shall have ownership rights over their labor contribution, and laws restricting the right to strike shall be abolished. Democracy in trade unions shall be safeguarded, among other things, with provisions on maximum terms in boards/committees and by strengthening the activity of members.

The boards of pension funds shall always be composed of fund members who pay into them or have paid into them and earned rights, and no one else.