Migrant Workers in Tourism: Challenges of Unions and Workers in the Icelandic Tourism Boom

Abstract

Migrant workers in tourism are a growing concern of labour unions in Iceland, in wake of a gold rush like situation following rapid growth in tourism. In the chapter these developments are explored through interviews with local unions. The wider context is the labour movements actions against social dumping of migrant labour, in times of neoliberal influences on labour market relations. The results indicate that despite of high union density, breaches of collective agreements, housing of migrants and placement at the bottom of the wage scale contribute to precarious situation of many migrant tourism workers. Industry actors and authorities are urged to provide a better safety net for migrant workers, in line with discourses of responsible tourism and inclusiveness of the Nordic model of industrial relations.