The working environment of industry

SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries promotes the interests of industry in every way.   Emphasis is placed on improving the working- and competitive conditions of Icelandic industries. We work towards the progress of industry wherever it´s working conditions are being formed, in co-operation with the Icelandic government as well as foreign bodies.

•  Increasingly we coordinate the promotion of employers interests within the realm of The Confederation of Icelandic Employers, regarding issues such as economy, taxation, and environmental matters.
• The rules of business are written in the parliament (Alþingi) and by the government, and enforced by various institutions. We place great importance on having a good relationship with and positively influence these parties. 
• International agreements and decisions made on common a platform, increasingly influence the working conditions of industry.  Therefore we strive towards the participation of  Iceland in this arena.
• Management of economic and fiscal matters, interest rates, exchange rates and inflation are key influences on the competitiveness of industry.  In light of that we keep a keen eye on these factors, analyze the situation and keep taps on government.
• Legislation and rules are essential.  But often the number of rules and regulations gets out of hand.  We strive towards simplification of rules and regulations, as well as utilising the leeway the EEA rules give us to benefit Icelandic interests.
• Taxation is a classic topic.  We fight to abolish import taxes, we work towards all types of food being in the lower VAT bracket, and try to ensure that VAT regulation doesn't encourage nationalization, with public and private parties competing on unequal terms, for example within the IT sector.