Proposal for a survey on company composition, the gig economy, and work experience in Reykjavíkurborg

This socialist proposal will be presented before the next city council meeting, Tuesday, June 2:

The valuation of various jobs has been much discussed in public discourse recently, and in this context, it is important to highlight the voices of employees from different sectors. It is therefore proposed that Reykjavíkurborg, in collaboration with the academic community, investigate how wage earners, freelancers, sole proprietors, and others assess their working conditions with regard to facilities, satisfaction, and income security. It is also proposed that the survey examine how people assess their contribution to society, how others assess it, and how they perceive their job security. When projects are scarce due to economic hardship, many who are part of the harkhagkerfinu (e. gig economy) often cannot access government resources to compensate for income loss. The survey will therefore also seek to paint a picture of the number of people working within the gig economy in Reykjavík. Furthermore, the city's company composition will also be surveyed based on how many people work for micro-enterprises, small businesses, medium-sized businesses, and large businesses in the city. It is proposed that questions about working conditions and job security be examined based on company size, as this can have a formative impact on work experience. The City Council agrees that the survey will be based on a sample of the number of people working in the city. The Department of Finance and Risk Management of Reykjavíkurborg will be entrusted with the further implementation of the proposal. The goal is to gain insight into the city's company composition, the work experience of those working in different sectors and companies in Reykjavíkurborg, and the voices of those who fall between systems.

Rationale: Society is currently undergoing significant changes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and there has been much discussion about which jobs are considered important and indispensable for society. At the same time, wage negotiations and discussions surrounding them have shown us that jobs are valued differently within society. Reykjavíkurborg is the capital of Iceland and the most populous municipality, and many people work here in various sectors, e.g., in healthcare institutions, in the fields of transport, arts and culture, in teaching, and in care and cleaning. In addition, many are part of the harkharkerfinu, either in the arts or in temporary jobs, and have few rights. Economic hardships reveal that not everyone is on equal footing, and therefore it is important to investigate how employees assess their income and job security in the times we are currently living in. It is proposed that this be examined based on whether an individual works for a company or not, and then based on the size of the company. It is proposed here to use the size classification that Hagstofa Íslands relies on for micro-, small-, medium-sized, and large enterprises. In the preparatory work for the survey, it is considered desirable to consult with trade unions to gain insight into the state of knowledge regarding the gig economy and the questions discussed in the aforementioned survey. The City Watch for Welfare and Employment Affairs is intended to collect statistical data and facts on the development of conditions for individuals, families, and the economy within Reykjavíkurborg over the coming months and quarters, to lay the groundwork for further proposals and actions, which will be directed either to the City Council, expert committees of Reykjavíkurborg, the state, or to a joint platform of municipalities or other parties. The proposal for the City Watch was approved at a City Council meeting on March 26th last year and was part of an action package for Reykjavíkurborg's first response measure to Covid-19. The City Watch for Welfare and Employment Affairs is, among other things, intended to monitor key factors and the impact of the situation on the economy, society, and living standards in consultation with stakeholders. The aforementioned proposal aligns well with these objectives, and it is important to collect information from those who work here in the city to assess the next steps regarding the framework that Reykjavíkurborg provides in the field of employment and services to working individuals during the times we are going through as a society. This is a survey that requires work input and is therefore job-creating, and such is positive in times like these.