W.O.M.E.N. in Iceland has since its creation in 2003, fought for equality and inclusion through empowerment for women of foreign origin. Language equality is an important issue we have often tried to raise awareness about.

Among our members who look to us for support, we know of discrimination and exclusion in  both the workplace and labor market in general. This occurs because of a lack Icelandic language skills due to poor or little access to quality Icelandic courses. Examples of language related discrimination in the labor market /workplace :

• People are not hired 
• People are held down in low paying jobs
• Not offered equal opportunities in their jobs
• Do not have access to important information
• Are not informed of their rights
• Excluded from decision making processes at work
• Excluded and/or discriminated against socially in the workplace

We ask that you to sign this petition if you believe as we do, that the Icelandic government, public, and private employers should offer employees of foreign origin access to Icelandic language lessons during working hours.

W.O.M.E.N in Iceland believes that language is the key to an inclusive society where everyone has equal access to upward mobility. We also believe it's time for the decision makers in the labor market to take responsibility for their role in supporting integration and upward mobility among the foreigners they hire. We are not just "erlent vinnuafl" (foreign labor)... we are employees of foreign origin who deserve greater access to the Icelandic language as well as the inclusion and upward mobility that comes with it.