Latvian workers share troubling experiences at Norbygg staffing agency in Hveragerði

In a recent episode of the investigative program Kveik, the challenges faced by workers at the staffing agency Norbygg in Hveragerði were highlighted. Two Latvian workers, Sandris Slogis and Egils Baldonis, shared their troubling experiences while employed by Norbygg.

Egils sustained a severe foot injury on the job and believes he deserves compensation, criticizing the company for not supporting him adequately. He expressed his grievances in an interview, suggesting that the company had failed to uphold its responsibilities toward employees. Norbygg is owned by Ilona Osmana, a Latvian national, and has operated for eight years in Iceland.

The working conditions at staffing agencies, including Norbygg, have come into sharper focus recently, particularly after the Kveik program aired at the end of September. Although the specific name of Norbygg was not mentioned in the episode, it spurred debates in the Icelandic Parliament regarding staffing agencies.

Ilona Osmana has stated that the majority of Norbygg’s employees are satisfied with their jobs. She denied knowledge of the Kveik episode but welcomed inquiries via email. Osmana pointed out that Norbygg has received recognition as an outstanding business and maintains equal pay certification.

In response to Sandris’s claims about unpaid wages, Osmana contends that he worked an 80% position in August, receiving a net payment of 404,544 Icelandic krónur. Furthermore, discussions are ongoing regarding potential compensation for Egils’s injury. Osmana indicated that there is a legal dispute between Norbygg and Egils concerning his entitlements, which is currently being addressed by respective legal representatives.