“Migrants multiplied in number in the construction industry during the boom period; of whom Polish workers were the majority. I discuss work related migration to Iceland in my final thesis, with emphasis on the construction industry,” says Álfrún Sigurgeirsdóttir, MA student in Anthropology. “I examine interaction between Icelanders and the Polish in the construction industry, how they create each other’s stereotypes; their different views and status,” says Sigurgeirsdóttir, who has reached certain conclusions.
“The data processing suggests that inequality is present within the industry despite proclamations of good will and equality policies. The data also indicates a certain arrogance towards the Polish, who have been regarded as cheap labour and they have been offered jobs with the same salaries as their Icelandic co-workers. Furthermore, the data suggests that Icelanders have tried to create a stereotype of Polish workers that could, to some extent, justify this discrimination. The Polish have objected to this stereotype with declarations on their own superiority and the Icelanders’ carelessness and laziness. The data points to reciprocal image creation even though the groups’ position of influence was indeed unequal,” says Sigurgeirsdóttir.
Sigurgeirsdóttir says that her participation in a co-operative venture between the University Collegium Civitas in Warsaw, the University of Iceland and the Research Centre in Human Movement and Multiculturalism was the inspiration for this research. The result of the co-operative venture is the book, „Integration or assimilation? Polish immigrants in Iceland“, and the project was funded by an endowment fund of the EFTA countries; Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Sigurgeirsdóttir says that her final thesis has a threefold bearing. “It is a contribution to research in the field of Human Movement and addresses academic questions in the field. It also sheds light on important changes in Icelandic society that coincided with increased numbers of immigrants in Iceland.”
Instructor: Unnur Dís Skaptadóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences.
