Icelandic seniors’ association calls poverty among elders a national shame

The National Association of Senior Citizens (Landsamband eldri borgara, LEB) has spoken out against the persistence of poverty among older people in Iceland, calling it a national shame in a recent opinion piece. The statement was first reported by Akureyri.net and appears in several regional outlets across the country.

LEB chairman Björn Snæbjörnsson, writing on behalf of the association, emphasised that despite important progress over the last five years, poverty remains a crisis for older Icelanders. He wrote, “Poverty among older people is a national shame.” (translated from Icelandic)

Nonetheless, LEB highlights that there have been notable victories in the pursuit of better rights and wages for senior citizens recently. According to the organisation, these gains are cause for celebration but also show there is more work to be done to eliminate poverty among seniors.

TopicsAlþingiBjörn Snæbjörnssonelder rightsIcelandLandsamband eldri borgarapoverty