Low-income women refuse food so their children can eat

This morning, a group of female academics presented the results of a report on inequality among women in Iceland. The report is based on a survey that found that of the more than 1,200 people surveyed, 42% earned less than 500,000 euros a month, 38% earned between 500,000 and 800,000 euros a month, and 20% earned more than 500,000 euros a month.

Social life takes a back seat

The report states that low-paid women have a harder time making ends meet than others. More than 40% of them have a disposable income of less than 150,000 ISK per month, and 13% have a disposable income of less than 60,000 ISK per month. In addition, nearly a third of low-paid women are unable to cope with unexpected expenses.

“They are more likely to have to deny themselves or their children various basic needs,” said Berglind Hólm Ragnarsdóttir, assistant professor at the University of Akureyri.

“They can’t afford school trips, and many of them can’t afford necessary clothing like cold shoes or coats. A lot of them find it difficult to pay for things related to their children’s social lives, and if they want to go to a class birthday party, have to bring a birthday present, go to the movies, that sort of thing, they have to say no to their children.”

Children are the most vulnerable group to poverty

Many said they could not afford their children’s leisure and sports expenses, and even had to refuse food to let their children eat. The report also pointed out that low-wage women have lower physical and mental health than high-wage women.

“This is of course a social cost. This affects not only jobs and families, but also health costs and society as a whole. It is not worth cutting corners on this,” said BSRB President Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir.

The survey clearly shows that government support measures can have a significant impact.

“On average, we are doing well in this country, but there are certain groups within the population that need special support. Of course, we have been fighting at the collective bargaining table, but we also know that government support makes the difference between whether people can make ends meet and keep their children fed. It is still mainly children who are trapped in poverty in this society,” said Sonia.

“Of course, every time a collective agreement is reached, there should not be any changes in support for families with children, but the situation should be constantly assessed and action taken. Unfortunately, this is not happening and this is politics we don’t like.”

Sadly, in an affluent society, people are starving.

ASÍ President Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson said the report’s findings were not surprising.

“We have always tried to address this in collective agreements. In the last collective agreement, we put a lot of emphasis on the minimum wage, which should benefit low-wage workers. We also put a lot of emphasis on state and local authorities, who spit on transfer systems, such as the child benefit system and housing benefits,” Finnbjörn said.

It is very important to keep these commitments. Failure to do so is very costly, he said, because the consequences will first and ultimately affect the children. He said it is sad that some mothers will skip meals so that their children will not go hungry.

“It is regrettable that in this affluent society that we live in, people are put in such a situation that this has to happen. Not everything can be solved by collective agreement. State and local authorities have a considerable responsibility for the well-being of the people of this country. They must do their part in this regard.”