NDP CEO Jón Páll Helgason condemns inadequate oversight and mistreatment of workers in East Iceland

The CEO of the staffing agency NDP has expressed alarm over the treatment some workers endure in the industry, deeming the current oversight inadequate. Jón Páll Helgason, who leads NDP, reflects on the troubling conditions affecting employees and the damaging reputation the sector has gained.

NDP employs around 30 people, primarily in metal fabrication and maintenance, with occasional involvement in the construction industry, all based in East Iceland and Húsavík. Recent media coverage has shed light on pervasive issues within staffing agencies, including underpayment and unacceptable living conditions for workers.

Helgason noted troubling examples, such as a worker receiving only 2,230 Icelandic krónur (approximately $15) per hour while he asserts that NDP’s minimum rate is around 3,000 krónur (about $19.50). He criticized the notion of deducting costs unfairly from employee wages, emphasizing that NDP covers all costs without imposing additional charges on workers.

The CEO has a strong stance on workplace standards, insisting that all staff should have access to acceptable housing. While some may share accommodations, NDP ensures no one is forced to share bedrooms, with options like an old hotel repurposed for employee use. Helgason condemns the practice of putting workers in what he calls “rat holes” and emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a respectful and humane environment within the workforce, stating, “There’s a need for this industry, but there’s no need to mistreat people.”