News

VR Board Protests Cuts to Unemployment Benefits

News

11.09.2025

The VR Board strongly protests the government's plans to reduce the period of unemployment benefits by a full year and to extend the qualification period for these rights, without consulting the labour movement. The Board supports the importance of early intervention and activation for people who lose their jobs, but points out that there are significant shortcomings in these areas.

VR Podcast and the Woman Who “Does Nothing”

News

09.09.2025

This autumn marks fifty years since Icelandic women left both their paid and unpaid work for a day and demanded that their contribution to the workforce be properly valued. In the rosy glow of history, it may appear that this was a simple effort and that unity was complete.

A Nation Against Genocide – Trade Unions Encourage Participation

News

05.09.2025

Tomorrow, Saturday, mass gatherings will be held across the country to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to demand action to stop the genocide currently taking place in Palestine. National federations of wage earners and numerous trade unions are organizing the event, along with many other organizations.

Online Lecture Available on My Pages

News

02.09.2025

On Mínar síður at vr.is, VR members can watch an engaging lecture on resilience and stress by psychologist Lilja Magnúsdóttir.

Eight Points that Highlight the Problems with the High Interest Rate Policy

News

20.08.2025

The Central Bank has now announced that interest rates will remain unchanged for the coming months, and the bank’s high interest rate policy has been in place for over three years.

Miðhúsaskógur Closed Until November

News

18.08.2025

Due to maintenance work, bookings for holiday homes in Miðhúsaskógur will be closed from the beginning of September until November. Maintenance work is being carried out on the area’s main utility systems.

High Interest Rates Don’t Build Homes

News

14.08.2025

Next week, the Central Bank will announce its decision on interest rates. Analysts are stepping forward one after another, claiming that a reduction in interest rates is impossible, but more and more voices are also pointing out what VR has been saying for a long time: the high-interest policy causes immeasurable harm and needs to come to an end.

Queer at Work

News

08.08.2025

About 35 years ago, a new manager was hired at a large company in Reykjavík, which caused quite a stir. The manager was not only a woman, but also a lesbian. The former was considered radical enough by many, and the latter only made matters worse.

Thank you for the vacation!

News

04.08.2025

For us in VR, frídagur verslunarmanna (commerce day) is one of the most important celebrations of the year, while also marking the end of the summer’s main travel weekend. People make their way home from festivals, summer cottages, and camping —often a little physically tired but mentally refreshed after the breakup of daily routines we all need. Yet, the routines are also welcomed as the wheels start turning again at work and at home.

Workplace inspections South Iceland

News

03.07.2025

The Icelandic Confederation of Labour conducted a workplace inspection initiative in the tourism sector from June 23rd to 25th, which took place at Geysir, Þingvellir, and Gullfoss in the south of Iceland. Participating in the initiative alongside the confederation were the South Iceland Police, the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Directorate of Internal Revenue. The focus was primarily on tourism companies.

Survey on Housing Conditions of Foreign VR Members

News

25.06.2025

VR members with foreign citizenship will, in the coming days, receive an email survey regarding their housing conditions.

Unemployment Benefits Discussed at Meeting Between the Leader of VR and the Minister of Social Affairs

News

25.06.2025

The Leader of VR, Halla Gunnarsdóttir, emphasized the union’s opposition to government plans to shorten the unemployment benefits period at a meeting with Inga Sæland, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, today, Wednesday, 25 June 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to present the minister with the main priorities of VR’s board regarding housing and social issues affecting wage earners and their families.