Icelandic union condemns doubling of primary care fees

Framsýn, an Icelandic labour union, has condemned a 100 per cent increase in primary healthcare fees and other charges announced by the government, according to mbl.is.

In a strongly worded resolution, the union’s board and representative council criticised the government’s newly presented budget proposal, particularly its increased financial burden on the public and plans to sell buildings at Húsavík Airport, which they said would weaken the airport’s position.

The resolution said the government and municipalities must take responsibility for fee and price increases well above inflation, contrary to promises made when the latest collective agreements were signed in 2024.

The agreements were intended to reduce inflation through a coordinated effort by trade unions, employers, the state and municipalities. Workers’ representatives agreed to a four-year agreement with moderate wage increases, while the state, municipalities, businesses, retailers and service providers promised to help restrain increases in fees and prices.

Framsýn said those commitments had not been fulfilled and that the basis for the collective agreements had therefore collapsed. It said rising inflation was harming households, particularly workers and people with limited financial means.

The union criticised the health minister’s decision, announced earlier in the summer, to double patient fees at primary healthcare centres from 1 August. It also objected to plans for separate fees for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Those fees would fall outside the healthcare co-payment system and would be added to the maximum amount patients already pay for services covered by the system.

The resolution said it was distressing that healthcare costs were considerably higher in Iceland than in neighbouring countries.

Framsýn also criticised plans to achieve balanced public finances through charges and cuts. It pointed to a proposed 5.2 per cent increase in fixed-amount charges and a 15.9 per cent increase in the mileage charge, as well as further reductions in child and housing benefits.

The union said the labour movement must stand together and respond now that the basis for the collective agreements had been undermined. It said those who had promised to help restrain fee and price increases must be held to account.