Police in Iceland calling in ‘sick’ today?
Police officers are fighting for better pay. Photo: Styrmir Kári
Appropriate legal action will be taken against any police officers who do not drop plans to take unofficial and illegal strike action, says the Icelandic Ministry of Finance.
There is currently discontent within the Icelandic Police force regarding low wages and the State’s apparent refusal to negotiate. Police in Iceland have no right to strike under Icelandic law.
The Ministry has, however, received information that a number of police officers are intending to stage unofficial action by calling in sick today and tomorrow and again on 27-28 October.
“The planned ‘sick leave’ is a form of illegal strike action aimed at forcing better pay conditions,” says the Ministry. “It is against the law for an employee to call in sick when they are not.”
The Ministry has urged the National Police Federation of Iceland to put an end to any such planned action. “Otherwise, the Ministry will take appropriate legal action. The Ministry reminds the Federation that it may be liable for any damages incurred as a result of the illegal action.”
The Federation has replied that it has had nothing to do with organising the planned action referred to by the Ministry.
“The National Police Federation of Iceland urges its members, for obvious reasons, to adhere to the law in every aspect of their current pay dispute with the government,” reads an announcement of the Federation’s website.
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