Faroese elderly care faces strike threat after wage talks collapse

Negotiations between the Faroese Health Workers’ Union and the Municipal Employers’ Association broke down late Thursday, raising the risk of strike action at elderly care facilities, Kringvarp Føroya reports.

Jon Mortensen, a resident at the URD Rehabilitation and Transition Centre in Hoyvík, said he was “extremely grateful” for the care he receives but warned that staff shortages already force difficult prioritisation. “It’s a scandal that so many people have to wait,” the 86-year-old said.

Hanne-mi á Brúgv, a unit leader at URD, stated that residents “must not be left without help,” though she acknowledged that any work stoppage would delay non-urgent tasks as fewer staff cover essential needs.

Elsa Johanna Høgenni, head of operations at Tórshavn Municipality, noted that the capital handles roughly 40% of the Faroes’ elderly care. The municipality currently has 212 residents in its facilities and provides home care to 178 others. Over half of the care staff are employed under the Health Workers’ Union agreement.