Volunteering in Iceland? THINK AGAIN !
Well think again! You may be doing more harm than good – and hopefully that is not your intention.
For decades young people from all over the world have come to Iceland to volunteer in projects that focus on the preservation of nature? We have welcomed these young people. They have given up their time and effort to assist us in preserving our rough and unforgiving nature.
However – in the last few years “volunteering” has been given a new meaning in Iceland and not such a pleasant one. In times of unemployment in Europe and elsewhere and in search of adventure and perhaps wanting something to put on one´s CV – people have been coming to Iceland to volunteer in places of business – doing regular work. Not saving the nature – but serving coffee. For free!
This is against everything we stand for. Working for the economic gain of someone should benefit both employer and worker. Working for free is what slaves used to do and they didn´t choose their fate. Working for free is deflating the value of work – hurting regular people and benefitting the rich.
Perhaps your situation is such that you can afford to work for free one summer – but there are people who need this job and need to be paid for it.
