The District Court of West Iceland has ordered Hvalur hf. to pay two ex-employees over 2.1 million krónur each for unpaid wages connected to a whaling season that was scheduled for 2023. The dispute arose over whether a binding employment contract was established, and if these employees were entitled to wages despite the whaling operations being suspended. Prior to the expected start of whaling in late summer 2023, Iceland's then Minister of Food, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, decided to halt the whaling temporarily until September 1, 2023, due to concerns regarding whale welfare following a report from the Food and Veterinary Authority.

The court found in favor of the two fishermen, concluding that a valid employment contract had indeed been made, even though the whaling operations were canceled. This decision also highlights the complexities surrounding employment contracts in the whaling industry amid ongoing discussions about marine life protection and ethical considerations of whaling practices. However, the company was acquitted of claims by three other workers, which raises questions about the enforcement of such contracts in the industry.

This ruling could have significant implications for the whaling industry in Iceland, as it may set a precedent for how employment contracts are managed and how workers are treated in similar situations in the future. The ruling comes at a time when the sustainability and ethicality of whaling continue to be hotly debated within Iceland and internationally, suggesting the need for clearer regulations and protections for workers in this field.