It is a day for reflection—on how we have made progress through our work—but also on how we are shaping the future together.
Today, we find ourselves in a time marked by challenges. This is particularly true when we look at the employment situation in our municipality.
First, there is concern about the closure of the factory in Aasiaat. I fully understand the anxiety that arises when a family’s livelihood is at risk. We are working diligently to communicate the consequences for the municipality, families, and the business community, and to formulate a vision for how our municipality can develop economically in the future.
Potential economic growth is linked, among other things, to tourism. The new airports in the country are nearing completion, but transportation conditions in our municipality remain challenging. Nevertheless, we are not seeing a decline in the number of tourists, and therefore we must consider how we can generate revenue through this—while simultaneously working to improve transportation conditions.
How can we make the best possible use of our natural environment?
How can we generate more revenue while preserving our way of using nature?
How can we create value from our stories and history?
At the same time, we face another challenge: a labor shortage. And an excessive workload. We’re already feeling this today—for example, there’s a great need for staff at the nursing home, and our skilled employees are overburdened. If this trend continues in the coming years, we must ask ourselves:
What can we do today to make our society stronger tomorrow?
The answer lies within ourselves.
Some companies are short on workers, while some people want better financial conditions but can’t find jobs that suit them.
For some people, well-being is tied to their work. They take responsibility for their work, show up every day, and cover extra shifts if a colleague is absent—or work elsewhere after finishing their regular shift.
Work is not just about duty; it is also about taking responsibility for one’s own livelihood and well-being. That is why we must introduce young people to the world of work at an early age. What we start early often becomes a lasting habit, and that is why we must pave the way early on for young people to contribute actively to society.
My message is this: We need to be able to openly discuss our current situation regarding employment and the workforce in relation to the future we want.
Is it possible that there are both unemployed people and companies facing labor shortages?
What is our view on work?
Together—with mutual respect and a shared sense of responsibility—we must discuss how we can pass on our municipality to future generations in a positive and sustainable way.
Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you for your dedication.
Thank you for helping to shape the future of Qeqertalik Municipality.
Happy Labor Day.