Large fish firms draw most from unemployment scheme

Large fish-processing companies make the greatest use of the fish-processing scheme run by ALS, KVF reports. Last year, workers at Bakkafrost received 2.835 million for 25,754 hours covered by the scheme.

Varðin Pelagic was named next, with just under 16.2 million, followed by Pelagos and Faroe Origin.

Member of Parliament Liljan Weihe asked Employment Minister Margit Stórá about the scheme and employers. Stórá said it would be more sensible for people covered by the scheme to work where there is a genuine need for labour. She also recognised that the scheme is essential for some fish-processing plants to remain viable.

Stórá said she plans to discuss the future of the scheme with the ALS board.

The scheme provides unemployment support during temporary stoppages at fish-processing plants, for example when fresh raw materials are unavailable. Payments are made weekly and begin from the ninth hour of unemployment, covering a maximum of 32 hours, or four days, per week.