No hazard pay for pedagogues

Daycare centres are being reopened on the recommendation of a unanimous epidemic commission and are thus not entitled to any extra compensation.

So says Jan Mortensen, the director of the finance ministry’s wage department, after the Pedagogue Union yesterday sent employers a request for hazard pay for staff who have worked or will be working during the corona crisis, arguing that they risk their health on a daily basis in their work.

But, says Mortensen, when the epidemic commission deems the situation as safe, it means that neither staff nor children are at risk, so there are no grounds for hazard pay to the pedagogues.

Municipalities won’t pay either

Daycare centres are municipal institutions but all wage contracts must be approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Annika Olsen, who heads the Municipal Employers’ Union, said yesterday that the contract with the Pedagogue Union is valid until 1 October this year.

She added that since changes are not normally made during the contract period, nothing will be done about hazard pay at this time.

Translated by prosa.fo