Policy

All work of BSRB is based on a policy established in the federation’s assemblies. This policy was renewed and approved at the BSRB Follow-Up Assembly on 24 and 25 March 2022. BSRB has developed a policy in various issues. Read about the individual issues below or click on the front page to the side to read the policy in its entirety.

Social security

BSRB demands that income indexing for social security and pension payments be reviewed. It is a fundamental factor that pensions ensure old-age and disability pensioners satisfactory standard of living.

Public services

Lagarammi almannaþjónustunnar verður að vera nægilega traustur til að veita henni vernd gegn markaðsvæðingu. Almanna þjónustuna á aldrei að reka á hagnaðargrundvelli heldur eiga almannahagsmunir og samfélags markmið að vera í forgrunni.

Employment matters

A high employment level is one of the foundations of the welfare society, and thus it is the most vital task of authorities, at any given time, to ensure that most people are able to pursue work.

Economics and tax matters

BSRB places emphasis on the importance that the taxation system be used as equalisation tool. The taxation system as well as the welfare system should be run with the mindset that people pay a deposit according to means but withdraw according to needs. Those who are more financially capable should deposit proportionally more than those who are less capable. Agreement must be reached on this way of thinking in government operations; it is important to have solidarity and equality of people at the forefront.

Healthcare matters

BSRB wholly discourages deregulation of the healthcare services and fee collection based on profit viewpoints. Private enterprise reduces the efficiency of the system, overview and co-ordination, increases the risk of over-treatment and impedes monitoring of quality and scope.

Housing matters

Housing security, whether it is residency in rental housing or private property, is a human right. The government is to ensure housing security for all with a supply of housing at an affordable price, housing support and economic measures that reduce unnatural increase in housing prices.

Equality issues

Gender-based harassment, sexual harassment and violence must be eliminated; the root of this scourge is inequality and gender power imbalance. The experience has shown that equal status and equal opportunities of all people at workplaces does not happen by itself. Knowledge, will and actions are needed in order to achieve changes in this field.

Employment terms

One of the main demands of BSRB is that people can live off their wages. It also applies to transfers, such as benefits and tax burden.

Pension issues

BSRB demands that income indexing for social security and pension payments be significantly reduced. It is important that wage earners who have paid into pension funds throughout their careers see the result of that in their income when they retire due to age or disability.

Education matters

Education promotes more active participation in Icelandic society and increases people’s skills in the labour market. Education also results in increased value creation for the society as a whole and increased income for the government and the country’s entire populace.

Working environment of state and municipal employees

The role of state and municipal employees is to provide important and statutory services where public interests are at the forefront. Co-ordinated services must be ensured and that workplaces and the jobs develop in the context of society and development of knowledge.

Environmental and climate issues

BSRB supports the government’s climate goals but demands that increased emphasis be placed on the measures because global warming poses a risk to the safety and quality of life of humanity. Economic effects of warming are tremendous and much greater than the costs of measures aimed at reducing emissions and increasing carbon sequestration.