An announcement from The Directorate of Labour in light of the current uncertainty due to the situation in Grindavík:

If wages are not paid to employees of companies in Grindavík due to The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management’s decision of general evacuation, they can contact The Directorate of Labour.  The unemployment insurance system’s safety net guarantees payments when an employee has earned an entitlement to unemployment benefits. Self-employed individuals can also contact the directorate.

 The Directorate of Labour would like to emphasize the following:

-That people should speak with their employer about the situation before deciding to apply for unemployment benefits.

-In view of the circumstances, applications for unemployment benefits will be valid from the day of The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management’s decision of the evacuation of Grindavík, on Friday night the 10th of November. It is therefore not necessary to apply now for unemployment benefits while there is uncertainty.

- We encourage employees to wait until the end of the week (to 25th of November) to apply for unemployment benefits until the issues are clarified in more detail. 

On the website of the Directorate of Labour you can get basic information, appointments for general consultations can be made on the web, an appointment can be made with consultants in the capital area or elsewhere in Iceland.

Financial assistance
In cases where people do not have a job nor are entitled to unemployment benefits and are worried about their financial situation, please contact consultants from the Department of Social Services and Education at Grindavíkurbær. You can come to the Service Centre at the Custom House and make an appointment for consultation or call Grindavíkurbær 4201100 and request an appointment. Information is also available at www.grindavikurbaer.is.