In financial crisis-related news:
-Magnús Gunnarsson, the chairman of New Glitnir, and Valur Valsson, the chairman of New Kaupthing, submitted a joint letter of resignation to Minister of Finance, Agriculture and Fisheries Steingrímur J. Sigfússon. In the reason for their decision they cite the new government’s request for a change in leadership in the financial sector. Sigfússon, however, has asked that the two reconsider their decision.
-A bill was submitted to parliament which would allow those on unemployment insurance to attend school, and receive unemployment payments for up to two years. A vote on the bill is expected this spring.
-The government has established a work group to determine what, if any, effect the financial crisis is having on the wage gap between men and women. As previously reported, the gender wage gap in Iceland is on average 19.5%.