Karnite, Raita
Employers oppose stringent language requirements
23 November 2008
Protection of the Latvian language is aimed at both strengthening the
national identity and preserving cultural values. This explains the rigorous
legislation regulating language use in Latvia. Compliance with the language
use legislation is supervised and controlled by the State Language Centre
(Valsts valodas centrs, VVC).
Long working hours but low motivation
05 November 2008
In March 2008, the Institute of Social and Political Research (Sociālo un
politisko pētījumu institūts, SPPI) at the University of Latvia (Latvijas
Universitātes) published the ninth consecutive report on human development,
entitled ‘Latvia: Human development report, 2006/2007: Human capital’.
The report focuses mainly on human resources in Latvia. However, working
conditions such as self-assessment at work and people’s attitudes towards
working overtime are also considered in the report.
Sugar refinery employees dissatisfied with closure deal
19 Oktoober 2008
Until 2007, Latvia had two sugar refineries – the Liepāja Sugar Refinery
(Liepājas Cukurfabrika) in western Latvia and the Jelgava Sugar Refinery
(Jelgavas Cukurfabrika) in central Latvia. As EU Sugar Law became applicable
in Latvia, it regulated the relations of sugar refineries and farmers and
provided subsidies for sugar manufacturers. Owing to the favourable
conditions, Latvian farmers were eager to grow sugar beet, transferring their
produce to the country’s sugar refineries for processing, while the sugar
manufacturing costs and sales prices continued to grow.
Social partners agree further increase in minimum wage
13 Oktoober 2008
The minimum wage in Latvia is determined by the Republic of Latvia Cabinet of
Ministers (Ministru kabinets [1]) on the basis of a proposal by the Ministry
of Welfare (Labklājības Ministrija, LM [2]). Efforts by the trade unions
have ensured that a minimum wage increase has become an issue of top priority
of social dialogue [3] in Latvia (*LV0707029I* [4], *LV0702019I* [5]).
[1] http://www.mk.gov.lv/en/?lang=1
[2] http://www.lm.gov.lv
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/social-dialogue
[4] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/social-partners-agree-on-minimum-wage-increase
[5] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/rise-in-minimum-wage-and-tax-free-threshold
Employers to pay fewer sick leave days
13 Oktoober 2008
Negotiations between the Latvian social partners on procedures for issuing
work incapacity certificates and the responsibility of employers regarding
payment of sickness benefits began in 2006. In accordance with existing laws,
sickness benefits in the event of temporary work incapacity are paid for by
employers from company funds for the period from the second to the 15th day
of illness, and by the state social budget for the rest of the period. The
first day of sickness is paid for by the employee.
Clergy to benefit from centralised pay and social security system
13 Oktoober 2008
The spiritual care network of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
(Latvijas Evaņģēliski luteriskās baznīcas, LELB [1]) covers the entire
country. More than 300 Lutheran congregations are currently active in Latvia.
The church ensures that each congregation is served by an ordained pastor.
[1] http://www.lelb.lv/en/
Government cuts cost of hiring migrant workers
06 Oktoober 2008
Employers have been trying for a number of years to persuade the government
that the national economy is experiencing a labour shortage and that the
provisions for hiring migrant workers are disadvantageous. In 2006 and 2007,
when the labour market situation was extremely strained, the Employers’
Confederation of Latvia (Latvijas Darba Devēju Konfederācija, LDDK [1])
engaged in a dialogue with the government to discuss practical conditions for
workforce migration (*LV0710039I* [2]). The comparisons used during the talks
showed that more cost-effective solutions apply in Estonia and Lithuania with
regard to hiring migrant workers from other countries.
[1] http://www.lddk.lv
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/employers-call-for-less-restrictive-immigration-laws
New career development model for teachers
07 September 2008
Latvia values teaching qualifications very highly and upholds strict
requirements. Since 2004, an amendment to Latvia’s Education Law stipulates
that all teachers, including preschool instructors, must have third-level
qualifications (LV0409102F [1]). Nonetheless, this requirement challenged the
country’s capacities in teaching personnel, as many qualified teachers no
longer worked in education due to the restructuring and low wages of the
1990s. As a result, a transition period was introduced which allowed students
approaching the end of their third-level studies to work in schools.
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/new-rules-introduced-on-teachers-pay-and-qualifications
Healthcare workers prepare to strike again
01 September 2008
Healthcare workers have not been able to reach agreement with the Ministry of
Health (Veselības ministrija [1]) on funding for the sector. Medical workers
are unhappy with their current wage levels, procedures for calculating wages
and poor work conditions. In 2007, the Health and Social Care Workers’
Trade Union (Latvijas Veselības un sociālās aprūpes darbinieku
arodbiedrība, LVSADA [2]) sued the state for alleged breaches of procedure
in calculating wages (*LV0712019I* [3]). The administrative courts at three
levels have heard the applications and rejected them.
[1] http://www.vm.gov.lv/
[2] http://www.lvsada.lv/?sub=107
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/health-workers-union-sues-government
Trade unions win support for referendum on people’s right to dissolve parliament
07 August 2008
The collection of signatures on the right of the electorate to dissolve
Latvia’s parliament (Saeima) began after the trade unions failed to reach
agreement with the government on maintaining social dialogue on issues of
public importance. Moreover, the government ignored trade union demands with
regard to the social partners’ participation in the state budget approval
process, setting wages for employees of public sector organisations – such
as schools and healthcare institutions – and guarantees to increase these
wages. The country’s continued unstable economic situation and the
government’s arrogance increased public support for the mass protests
organised by the trade unions in the autumn of 2007 and the complex
procedures required to amend laws relating to voter initiatives (*LV0710029I*
[1]).
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/trade-unions-threaten-to-dissolve-parliament-over-state-of-economy