Karnite, Raita
Time use survey highlights changing working conditions - Latvia
02 Maijs 2007
The latest population time use survey indicates changes in the profile of time use in Latvia in 2003, compared with 1996. In 2003, all workers used a greater part of the total weekly time budget (168 hours) for personal care and sleep; however, men spent a greater part of the total time in paid work. Moreover, there was an increase in travel or commuting time. The survey also shows differences in time use between those in paid employment and others, according to sex and geographical location. Time use surveys are primarily a quality of life indicator, but they also contain useful data regarding working conditions.
New technology and respect for privacy at the workplace
07 Marts 2007
/Source: On the information society in Latvia, CSB, Riga, 2006/
Contribution to EIRO thematic feature on Youth and work - case of Latvia
04 Marts 2007
There are no specific policies towards *young workers*. Young workers are a
constituent of a target group of policies towards better work (education,
lifelong learning and career counselling policies) and better work conditions
(work safety and others).
Situation of economically dependent workers
18 Februāris 2007
In Latvia, the employer may hire a person on the basis of a standard
employment contract [1] or on the basis of a service contract, sometimes
known as a ‘work task contract’. Work may also be performed according to
other legal relations, for example, an authorship contract. However, the area
of application for an authorship contract is rather specific and is not
discussed here.
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/contract-of-employment
Factors triggering wage growth
18 Februāris 2007
Wages in Latvia have risen sharply since 2005, and the rate of actual wage
growth is exceeding that of gross domestic product (GDP). In order to
understand the reasons for wage growth, the Ministry of Welfare
(Labklājības ministrija, LM [1]) commissioned the study Wages and factors
influencing them (in Latvian, 3.7Mb PDF) [2]. The study was conducted in
2005–2006 by the research partnership RS Group [3], which includes the
Baltic Institute of Social Sciences (Baltijas Sociālo Zinātņu institūts,
BSZI [4]) and the marketing research agency Factum [5].
[1] http://www.lm.gov.lv/
[2] http://www.bszi.lv/downloads/resources/darba algas/darba-algas-un-to-ietekmejosie-faktori.pdf
[3] http://www.rsgroup.lv/
[4] http://www.bszi.lv
[5] http://www.factum.lv/
Labour Law amendments include ban on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation
11 Februāris 2007
After a second debate, on 21 September 2006, Latvia’s parliament adopted
amendments to the Labour Law. The amendments were first drafted over one year
ago. Some of these provisions were adopted by parliament on 15 June 2006, but
were rejected by the state President, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who has the
exclusive right to proclaim adopted laws. The reason for the rejection was
the unclear formulation of the provision of Article 7 of the Labour Law on
discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation [1] (*LV0608039I* [2]).
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/discrimination-on-the-grounds-of-sexual-orientation
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/parliament-rejects-proposal-to-ban-sexual-orientation-discrimination
National opera musicians threaten strike action over low wages
11 Februāris 2007
In January and October 2006, the administration of the Latvian National Opera
(Latvijas Nacionala Opera, LNO [1]) increased the wages of several categories
of employees, including those of orchestra artists by €71 and €145.
Following the increases, the average gross wage of orchestra musicians was
€640 a month, compared with the average national wage at this time of
around €427.
[1] http://www.opera.lv/
New agreement provides wage increase for police employees
04 Februāris 2007
On 4 October 2006, the Latvian government and two trade unions – the
Latvian United Police Trade Union (Latvijas Apvienota policistu arodbiedriba,
LAPA [1]) and the Independent Police Trade Union (Neatkarigo Policistu
arodbiedriba, NPA) – signed an agreement on wage increases for police
officers. LAPA was established in January 2006 to avert a crisis in the
Ministry of the Interior (Iekšlietu ministrija [2]), brought about by police
officers’ objections to unfair wage payments and the failure to observe
legally mandated social guarantees (*LV0601101F* [3], *LV0510101N* [4]).
Shortly after the founding of the new trade union, a group of dissatisfied
members broke away from it and established a second police trade union, NPA.
[1] http://www.policistuarodbiedriba.lv/
[2] http://www.iem.gov.lv/
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/police-trade-union-established
[4] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/police-officers-picket-generates-discussion
Developing a lifelong learning strategy
22 Janvāris 2007
In June 2006, the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences (Baltijas Socialo
Zinatnu instituts, BSZI [1]) published results of the study Access to
lifelong learning and possibilities to study in Latvia (in Latvian, 2.16Mb
PDF) [2]. The study was conducted within the framework of the project
‘Development of a lifelong learning strategy’, funded by EU structural
funds, as part of the national programme ‘Development and implementation of
a lifelong learning strategy’. The aim of the study is to prepare the
scientific basis and principal information for the development of a lifelong
learning [3] strategy in Latvia.
[1] http://www.bszi.lv/?category=&lang=en
[2] http://www.politika.lv/index.php?f=1008
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/lifelong-learning
New regulations aim to curb sickness absence
08 Janvāris 2007
In accordance with Latvian legislation, employees must justify their absence
from work by obtaining a sick leave certificate issued by a general medical
practitioner.