Iceland Info
Joined: 20 Oct 2006
Posts: 18
Home Country: iceland
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 Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:41 am Post subject: EMPLOYMENT IN ICELAND (Getting a Job) |
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EMPLOYMENT IN ICELAND (Getting a Job)
There are a number of ways to go about job searching. For best results you may wish to use all of the methods listed below.
Employment agencies (Ráðningarþjónustur): You may, free of charge, register with one or many professional employment agencies. They will tell you what information you need to have readily available. For instance, a curriculum vitae / resumé, certificates, diplomas and references. If you are not from an English speaking country it is a good idea to have your information translated into English or if possible, Icelandic, while still in your own country.
Contact local branches of your professional or trade union (stéttarfélag, verkalýðsfélag): They have information on the current employment trends within your profession and can give advice on where to start looking.
Read the (classified) advertisements section in the local newspapers: The three largest papers in Iceland are the Morgunblaðið, Fréttablaðið, and DV. The employment section comes out on Sundays in Morgunblaðið, but there are often daily advertisements. DV publishes job ads daily.
Phoning and Visiting: If you know what kind of business you want to work for you may wish to call them directly or visit them and ask if there are any jobs available, and if you may fill out an application.
Contacts: Tell everyone you know in Iceland that you are looking for employment. Word-of-mouth via family and friends often gives good results.
RECOGNITION OF EDUCATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Obtaining professional and educational recognition isn't always easy and depends on a number of factors. Roughly, it depends on whether the individual is from a Nordic country, an EEA country, or from outside of these areas. It also varies according to professions. As part of the EEA agreement all professional qualifications and social rights that an individual has earned in participating countries, apply within the whole of the EEA area. This means for those from a Nordic or an EEA country it is not necessary to seek any special professional licensing her in Iceland. However, it may be necessary to receive verification of ones qualifications from the Icelandic authorities. This verification may be issued from the relevant ministry or committees within certain professional and trade unions, for example the Union of Icelandic Electrical Workers.
Here are some general guidelines you should follow:
-Gather together all the information that you can about your education, the type and duration of previous work experience, diplomas, course descriptions and transcriptions (not always necessary, but helpful), etc. Keep in mind that the more detailed information that you submit may simplify and therefore speed up the processing of your application.
-In most circumstances it is OK to submit the documents in English or a Scandinavian language. If the documents are not in one of the above languages you must have them translated and it is safest to have them done by a certified translator. For more information contact the appropriate union, ministry or the Inter-Cultural Center.
-Check to see if you must prove knowledge in Icelandic or if you must take an exam in Icelandic and make the necessary arrangements.
MINIMUM WAGE
A full month's work is defined as 173,3 hours per month. The minimum wage for each position is determined by the collective bargaining agreements between the trade unions and employer representatives. Therefore your wages may never be lower than those stipulated in the agreements. Even if you are not a member of the relevant trade union, you still have the right to the wages and other conditions as is stipulated in these agreements.
If you suspect that your wages are lower than the minimum wage defined by the collective bargaining agreement, then you should speak with the union representative at your place of work or the Labour Association (Alþýðusamband Íslands).
Remember that the wage schedule agreed upon by your union or professional society refers only to minimum wages and conditions, and therefore you can not legally be hired for lower wages than that stipulated in that agreement. On the other hand, it is possible for an individual to negotiate for higher wages and better conditions.
PRIMARY ELEMENTS ON PAY SLIP
Wage total (Heildarlaun/Mánaðarlaun): This refers to your total wages over the defined period before any deductions have been made.
Vacation pay (Orlof): Vacation pay payments are made in different manners, but it is preferable that these payments be made in the form of wages when you go on holiday.
Pension Fund Payments (Lífeyrissjóðsgreiðslur): 4% of your wages is deducted and paid into your pension fund and your employer adds 6% of your wage total to the pension fund. The pension fund payments insure that old age pensioners and those who are permanently disabled receive an income. Most pension funds repay these premiums to those foreign citizens who leave the country.
Additional private pension savings (Viðbótarsparnaður): Those who wish can have an extra 1-4% deducted from their wages into a pension fund. If this is done, the government and employer contribute 1.1 – 4.4%. If no additional pension savings are deducted from your wages, the employer will nevertheless contribute an additional 1%.
Trade Union Fees (Félagsgjöld): 1% of your wages is deducted for the trade union. Even if you are paying these fees that does not mean that you are a member of the trade union. You need to register. This is very important since only those who are full members can take advantage of the services provided by the trade unions, such as legal assistance, language course discounts, assistance with filling in the tax return and much more.
Taxes (Staðgreiðsla skatta): The income tax rate is 37.73% of the wage total.
Personal discount (Persónuafsláttur): The personal discount is kr. 28,321, which is deducted from the calculated income tax. If your spouse does not use all of his or her personal discount, then you have the right to use up to 95% of his/her personal discount. |
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