Faroese workers still face major struggles for fair conditions

Workers in the Faroe Islands have made progress but continue to fight for job security and basic rights, the head of the Faroese Labour Union said on International Workers’ Day.

Speaking to public broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya, Elin Kamilla Sørensen, chair of Føroya Arbeiðarafelag, acknowledged advancements but stressed that “much has been achieved, yet much remains to be fought for.”

She highlighted widespread insecurity among hourly-wage workers, noting that most lack guaranteed 40-hour workweeks. “Without fixed hours, they don’t receive a stable income, creating deep uncertainty,” Sørensen said.

The union leader also warned that hard-won rights are under threat, particularly for foreign workers unfamiliar with local labour laws. “If they don’t assert their rights, they risk losing their jobs—and that undermines the protections workers have today if agreements aren’t upheld,” she added.