Vinnufólk

Vinnufólk is an Icelandic term that designates people who earn a living through regular employment—wage earners or the broader working class. The compound is formed from vinna (to work) and fólk (people). It is used to distinguish those who work for wages from owners of capital or land and from the self-employed to some extent.

In Icelandic discourse, vinnufólk commonly refers to workers as a social group with shared economic interests, emphasizing collective rights such as fair wages, safe workplaces, and the right to organize. The term is closely tied to the country’s labor movement and trade unions; it appears in political and media discussions about labor policy, income distribution, and welfare.

Historically, Iceland’s organized labor movement has used vinnufólk as a collective reference, with umbrella bodies like the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (Alþýðusamband Íslands, ASÍ) representing many wage earners across industries through collective agreements. Although Iceland has a relatively high standard of living and strong labor protections, the concept of vinnufólk remains a reference point in debates about wages, working conditions, and social equality.

Related terms include launþegi (a wage earner) and verkamaður (a worker). While not a rigid class label, vinnufólk functions as a useful shorthand in discussions of employment and labor issues in Icelandic society.