E/C.12/ISL/CO/4
9.
The Committee is concerned that the unemployment rate is still high compared to
the rate before the 2008 crisis, and that young people and immigrants are especially at risk
from long-term unemployment (art. 6).
The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to address the
high unemployment rate, including through a comprehensive employment policy, with
a special focus on groups at risk of long-term unemployment, such as young people
and immigrants.
10.
The Committee is concerned that temporary work permits are issued for work with a
specific employer, and that this may increase the vulnerability and dependency of the
permit holder on that employer. It is also concerned that an employee alone cannot bring an
appeal against decisions by the Directorate of Labour on applications for temporary permits
or revocations of such permits (art. 6).
The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that temporary
work permits are issued for a specific type of work/remunerated activity and specific
time, rather than with a specific employer. It also recommends that the State party
ensure that appeals against decisions by the Directorate of Labour on applications for
temporary permits or revocations of such permits can be brought by employees alone,
rather than needing the additional approval of the employer.
11.
The Committee is concerned that the State party has not yet introduced a national
minimum wage (art. 7).
The Committee recommends that the State party take legislative and other measures
to introduce a national minimum wage. It also recommends that the State party
ensure that the national minimum wage is periodically reviewed and set at a level
sufficient to provide all workers and their families with a decent standard of living.
12.
The Committee is concerned that the State party has imposed compulsory arbitration
through legislative intervention into the collective bargaining process for the determination
of the terms and conditions of employment of fishermen (art. 8).
The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to improve the
existing procedures for collective bargaining, with the aim to promote free and
voluntary collective bargaining and to ensure that compulsory arbitration is avoided.
13.
The Committee is concerned that, despite efforts undertaken since the economic and
financial crisis, the social benefits system does not provide for levels of benefits sufficient
to ensure a decent living for certain groups, in particular single-parent families (art. 9).
The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to ensure that the
social benefits system provides for a minimum essential level of benefits, ensuring a
decent living for all beneficiaries, including single-parent families. It also recommends
that the State party ensure that levels are monitored regularly and adjusted according
to the cost of living.
14.
The Committee is concerned that the enjoyment of unemployment insurance
according to Act No.54/2006 remains too restrictive (art. 9).
The Committee recommends that the State party expand the coverage of
unemployment insurance to all unemployed persons, especially the vulnerable and
underprivileged groups.
15.
The Committee is concerned that domestic violence is not specifically defined as a
crime, despite the explanations given by the State party in paragraph 43 of its replies to the
list of issues. It is concerned about persisting attitudes and stereotypes leading to violence
against women. The Committee is also concerned that immigrant women remain
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