The Icelandic Parliament passed a parliamentary resolution yesterday to establish a counselling centre for immigrants, RÚV reports. A majority, or 49 MPs, voted for the resolution, while seven Centre Party MPs voted against it.
The resolution was put forth last fall by Left Green Movement MP Kolbeinn Óttarsson Proppé alongside seven of his fellow party members. It obliges the Minister of Social Affairs to establish an immigrant counselling centre, whose role will be to provide accessible information and advice to immigrants on services they can access, as well as their rights and responsibilities as residents of Iceland.
The minister will consult closely with the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities, as well as municipal authorities, the Icelandic Red Cross, and workers’ unions on the development and operation of the centre. Immigrants account for nearly 13% of Iceland’s population and nearly 20% of workers in the country.
