Vistarband

[1] A person who did not own or lease property had to find a position as a laborer (vinnuhjú [ˈvɪnnʏˌçuː]) in the home of a farmer.

Norway had its own system of serfdom, while a somewhat similar institution, the stavnsbånd, existed in Denmark proper.

Thus while the vistarband was similar in some ways to serfdom, it differed in that those subject to it were at least technically able to leave the land where they worked.

Liberal democratic governments in Denmark pushed Iceland to adopt freedom of occupation during the 19th century.

[2] However, Icelandic elites and parliamentarians resisted implementing freedom of occupation, saying that the vistarband arrangement benefitted both laborers and employers.