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Þorsteinn Víglundsson: Legislating for an equal pay standard

Iceland’s new Minister of Social Affairs and Equal Rights, Þorsteinn Víglundsson, will introduce a brand new labour market policy based on the Nordic model. He will also present proposed legislation to implement an equal pay standard. Þorsteinn knows the labour market well, having been the Director General of the Confederation of Icelandic Employers (SA).
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One minute interview

Who is he?

Þorsteinn Víglundsson was born in 1969 and is married with three children. Between 2013 and 2016 he was the Director General of the Confederation of Icelandic Employers (SA). Before that he headed the organisation representing Iceland’s aluminium producers. He studied political science at the University of Iceland. He has also studied in Spain.

What are you reading?

The world of literature has not had a prominent place next to my bed in the weeks since I was voted into parliament and became a government minister. There is only a big pile of parliamentary papers and the 2017 budget. Not particularly exciting you might say.

Which is your favourite tool?

The coffee machine, without a doubt.

What is your hidden talent?

I am good at karaoke – which has come as a surprise to many. I am also good at DIY after building a house and renovating over the past ten years.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I can’t quite remember what fascinated me at the time, but for a while I wanted to become a carpenter or pilot.

Facts

Iceland’s new government comprises the country's largest party, Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn (the Independence Party) and two new liberal parties, Viðreisn (the Reform Party) and Björt framtíð (Bright Future). Þorsteinn Víglundsson left his job at SA last year when he decided to run on behalf of Viðreisn.

Iceland’s parliamentary elections were held in October 2016. Seven parties entered parliament. It took several weeks to form a government. Parliament has 63 MPs, 34 are men and 29 are women. The government parties have 32 MPs, which means the slimmest possible majority. There are 11 government ministers, four of them are female. 

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