Timarit Eflingar

TÍMARIT EFLINGAR-STÉTTARFÉLAGS 7 when he expressed concern over his inability to speak Icelan- dic, the job agency had assured him there was no need to learn the language. Reassured, he came to Iceland and took the employment, but when the crisis hit, he was given an ulti- matum: either he would learn the language, or he would lose his job.” We discuss the reasons for such a paradoxical situation and Anna says: “We are made to believe that mobility and flex- ibility are privileges. But it is more complicated. Mobility and flexibility are often imposed on migrant workers, while people often look for stability and financial security. Moreover, the labour market is international, but the welfare system is national. The mobility is beneficial as long as you don’t need social assistance, the flexibility is good until you need job security. Very few people intentionally abuse the system. The people are not bad, the system is bad.” We discuss what has changed on the labour market after the last crisis and Anna states: “In the 1990s, migrants work- ing in fish factories or in cleaning often felt their work was appreciated. They did not feel mistreated. Since then we observe increase of various forms of precarious employment and people in low paid jobs now feel more mistreated and unappreciated than before. Here we notice another paradox; foreigners use a dual frame of reference. Even though they feel mistreated, when they compare Iceland to their home countries, where they may have even less opportunities, they resign themselves to bad conditions here, because the condi- tions are even worse elsewhere.” The conversation is winding to an end and Anna reflects: “I thought that after the 2008 crisis there would be a revolu- tion but not much happened. The only thing that happened was that the system has become even more entrenched, more capitalist, more neoliberal.” After a few seconds, she adds: “We, as a society, need to reorganise the current system, especially due to the climate crisis and the Covid crisis. I am wondering if we should not seriously consider the universal basic income. Not only here in Iceland, but everywhere.” “Moreover, the labour market is international, but the welfare system is national. The mobility is beneficial as long as you don’t need social assistance, the flexibility is good until you need job security. Very few people intentionally abuse the system.”