Urgent call for more inflation relief

Wages have not kept up with inflation, leaving many families fearful of the coming winter.

So say five trade unions in a letter where they urge the government to extend the inflation relief package which is about to expire.

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Here is an excerpt of the letter:

Inflation relief urgently needed Rapid inflation growth in recent years has made it difficult for many families to make ends meet.

Aid organisations, trade unions and others regularly hear from people who have no money for food. The situation is critical, and the need for inflation relief is urgent.

The planned tax relief for next year will be useful for some families, but many families cannot wait until next year.

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The soon-to-expire inflation relief package has equipped the authorities with the methods and legal know-how required to implement a new package.

Prices have risen by almost 20 percent in the past four years, and wages have not matched the pace of inflation.

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Although the causes of this situation are mostly external, as a society, we need to take responsibility.

We therefore call on the government to submit a new inflation relief package to parliament as soon as possible, so that families can apply for help next month.

On behalf of the trade unions:

Georg F. Hansen, chairman of Føroya Arbeiðarafelag

Jan Højgaard, chairman of Føroya Fiskimannafelag

Heri Reynheim, chairman of Havnar Arbeiðarafelag

Jastrid Niclasen, chairwoman of Klaksvíkar Arbeiðskvinnufelag

Absalon Hansen, chairman of Klaksvíkar Arbeiðsmannafelag

Sonja J. Jógvandóttir, coordinator of Samtak, the umbrella body of Faroese trade unions.

Read the Faroese versions of this article here and here.

More Faroese News in English.