International Relations
For decades, the Commercial Federation of Iceland (LÍV) has been actively engaged in international cooperation. The importance of such cooperation continues to grow. An increasing number of companies and jobs operate across national borders, and it is now common for a company based in one country to outsource specific tasks to providers on another continent. The only effective response for employees is to strengthen coordination between their organisations. Equally important is the support provided by organised labour to fellow workers who do not enjoy the protection of a structured trade union movement.
In addition, Iceland’s membership of the European Economic Area (EEA) means that directives originating from the European Union are automatically incorporated into the Icelandic legal framework.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), to which LÍV is connected through its membership of the Confederation of Icelandic Labour (ASÍ), has worked vigorously to ensure that employees’ social rights and labour rights are given equal importance to cooperation in trade and monetary affairs.
VR has also participated in the Nordic Capital Cities Cooperation of Commerce Unions.
LÍV is a member of:
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The Commercial Federation of Iceland (LÍV) is a member of NHK – Nordiska Handelskommittén, which was established in 2022 through the merger of Nordisk Samarbejdskomite and Nordisk Handel. LÍV became a member of Nordisk Handel (NK) in 1960.
However, cooperation among Nordic commerce unions dates back to 1918, and discussions on Icelandic participation began in 1938. Those discussions were interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War but were resumed following the establishment of LÍV. The Commercial Federation of Iceland formally joined NK on 1 February 1960.
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The Commercial Federation of Iceland (LÍV) became a member of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) in June 2024.
ETF was established at its founding congress in Brussels on 14–15 June 1999, building on more than 60 years of trade union cooperation within the transport sector. Today, ETF represents the interests of more than five million employees through over 200 trade unions across 38 European countries.
These employees work across all areas of the transport industry, including land, maritime and air transport.
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UNI Global Union, formerly known as Union Network International, is a global federation of trade unions representing workers in the skills and services sectors. UNI Global Union brings together both national trade union organisations and international trade union federations.
Its affiliates span 150 countries and collectively represent the interests of approximately 20 million employees worldwide. The organisation is headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland.
Nordic Commerce Worker Federations
Danmark - Denmark - HK Handel - www.hk.dk
Suomi - Finland - PAM - www.pam.fi
Norge - Norway - HK Norge - www.hk.no
Sverige - Sweden - Handels - www.handels.se
Sverige - Sweden - Unionen - www.union.se
As part of the broader Icelandic labour movement through its membership of the Confederation of Icelandic Labour (ASÍ), the Commercial Federation of Iceland (LÍV) is connected to a number of important international organisations and institutions.
These include the International Labour Organization (ILO), the oldest specialised agency of the United Nations; the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC); the Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS); and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which advocates for human rights and the freedom of employees throughout the world.