Layoffs will occur due to changed focus

Logi Einarsson, Culture, Innovation, and the Minister of the University, says that the layoffs of three archaeologists at the National Museum of Iceland do not come due to streamlining claims from his ministry.

Earlier this month, the National Museum of Iceland dismissed three archaeologists who worked at the museum. Harpa Þórsdóttir National Guard says in conversation with the State Radio that the layoffs come about because of the optimization requirement.

Response to changed tasks

Flame says that the layoffs do not come about because of the rationalization claims from his ministry, but there are other reasons behind the dismissal.

« The director is responding to the changed project status of the museum and a narrower financial position that comes with a new institutional agreement that is costly and is made within the National Museum, » says Logi in a conversation with mbl.is after a government meeting this morning.

« These are reactions to the museum’s tasks are now different than before. Both art historian and anthropologist are being hired and thereby changing only the focus of the museum’s operations. The National Guard must answer for that, » Logi adds.

The focus comes from National Monuments

The conclusion is drawn from Loga’s words that the layoffs of archaeologists have been necessary in order to be able to hire a workforce with other education.

« We have collections that require artists to work on assessing, recording and researching. Also part of our cultural heritage is not material and therefore it is important to have folklore working at the museum. »

Flame says that these changed emphases are presented by Harpa Þórsdóttir National Monument and that she herself has justified them in a memorandum to the Ministry.

Not comparable to neighboring countries

Flame says he understands some of the criticism that the layoffs have received, but he does not believe that the number of archaeologists who work with the National Museum of Iceland and the National Museum abroad can not be compared.

« We are comparing Iceland and our neighboring countries, but it should be borne in mind that in 2011 we understand that the Ministry of Ministries and the National Museum.