27. apríl 2026

ASÍ and BSRB hold an open meeting about the public housing system

Dagsetning

27. apríl 2026

deila

The trade union movement has over the years placed great emphasis on housing security for workers and has been an active participant in the development and discussion of housing issues. ASÍ and BSRB own the housing self-ownership organization Bjarg Housing Association for members of its member unions. Bjarg is the backbone of the public housing system and has built over 1,000 apartments for low-income workers since 2016.


ASÍ and BSRB hold an open meeting about the general íbúðakerfið and ábyrgð of municipalities in í housing construction í the run‑up to municipal elections. The meeting takes place þriðjudaginn 28. apríl at 9.00 – 10.30 at Eddu and í streamed. Á the meeting willður e.g. presented newý analysis of the unions about socialé housingúæð and þróun general íbúðakerfisins. Mainðal þess that þar appears forward is aroundð about aldamótin síðustu were about 7.000 íbúðir í workers' housing system in about 7% íbúða í the country. Workers' housing systemð was dismantled niður í around kringum aldamót and weð took marketisation housing security low‑wage.

From the general housing system, 10 years ago, 1,100 apartments have been built for low-wage earners, which corresponds to within 0.7% of the apartments in the country. Social solutions in housing matters for working people have therefore considerably diminished and it is safe to say that the authorities have not acted responsibly. The increase of public housing for working people is therefore one of the most urgent tasks for those who will be elected to municipal councils on May 16. 


Where should low-wage earners live? The responsibility of municipalities in housing development

Open meeting ASI and BSRB in the run-up to municipal elections

Tuesday 28 April 9.00-10.30 at Edda, Arnfinnsgata 5

Breakfast will be served from 8:30


The meeting will be streamed here


Agenda:

8:30 The house opens

9:00 Opening address - Finnbjorn A Hermannsson, president ASI 

9:05 History and origin of the public housing system and Bjarg housing association - Video 

9:10 Presentation of a new analysis on social housing and the general housing system

Robert Farestveit economist ASI and Jana Viglundsdottir economist BSRB

9:30 Story of residents in Bjarg - Video 

9:35 Housing policy of the authorities and the role of municipalities 

Anna Gudmunda Ingvarsdottir, deputy director HMS

9:50 Story of a resident in Bjargi - Video 

9:55 Panel discussions

Dagur B Eggertsson, Chairman of the Government's Task Force on Housing Issues

Jón Björn Hákonarson, chairman of the Association of Icelandic Municipalities 

Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir, chair of BSRB

Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, chairman Efling and board member in Bjargi

Bjorn Traustason, CEO of Bjarg's housing association

10:30 Meeting results


Chairperson is Brynja Thorgeirsdottir


Further information provided by: Henny Hinz, deputy executive director ASI tel. 663-9026 and Sigridur Ingibjorg Ingadottir, executive director BSRB tel. 895-0272

Eftir Freyr Efling 27. ágúst 2026
Efling’s offices open later than usual on the upcoming Friday, August 28, due to a staff meeting. The office opens at 10:00 that day instead of 9:00 as usual.
Eftir Freyr Efling 27. ágúst 2026
Skrifstofa Eflingar stéttarfélags opnar síðar en vant er næstkomandi föstudag, 28. ágúst, vegna starfsmannafundar. Skrifstofan opnar klukkan 10:00 þann dag í stað klukkan 9:00 líkt og vant er.
Eftir Freyr Efling 24. ágúst 2026
Efling Union is calling for nominations for delegates to the 47th Congress of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ), which will take place from 14–16 October. The Congress will be held at Hilton Reykjavík, Suðurlandsbraut 2, and will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 14 October. Efling has 56 delegate seats at the Congress. Full members of Efling may nominate themselves, and the union is now inviting nominations. Nominations can be submitted through the electronic form provided here and must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, 31 August. Nominations for the ASÍ Congress 2026 Delegates will receive a daily allowance for the three days of the Congress. The allowance is ISK 18,100 per day, in accordance with the decision of the Travel Expenses Committee of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. Efling will reimburse delegates who lose wages as a result of attending the Congress, provided they submit supporting documentation to the union’s office. The ASÍ Congress is the Confederation's highest decision-making body. The Congress elects the President and Central Executive Committee, and considers amendments to the Confederation’s statutes as well as resolutions on its policies.  The ASÍ website contains all the main information about the Congress, including the agenda, Congress documents and draft resolutions.
Sýna fleiri fréttir