Icelandic company Skagans 3x employees claim four months of unpaid wages amidst bankruptcy woes
The 128 employees of Skagans 3x, a company in Akranes, Iceland, are preparing a claim for four months of unpaid wages. The company has recently declared bankruptcy. Vilhjálmur Birgisson, the head of the local union, has stated that it is crucial to retain the expertise and experience of the personnel in the community. He’s working to ensure the owed wages of the employees are retrieved from the Wage Guarantee Fund, a scheme that provides financial protection for workers in case their employer goes bankrupt.
According to Birgisson, substantial amounts are involved in the payment of these wages, which include three months’ notice and unpaid wages for July. In addition, there are outstanding payments for accrued vacation and a December bonus. A recent increase in the maximum payout from the Wage Guarantee Fund, from 630,000 to 850,000, will benefit the employees.
Birgisson has called on businesses to consider operations in Akranes, citing a pleasant living environment and a well-maintained infrastructure. He expressed his wish for Skagans 3x to resume operations, but noted that it is a complex situation given that the company does not own the premises it occupies.
In the meantime, one offer has been received for a part of Skagans 3x’s operations, and there has been interest from other groups. The bankruptcy administrator, Helgi Jóhannesson, has stated that the company needs to be sold as soon as possible, as its assets are quickly depreciating.