Hashtag campaign launched to tackle fraud and shadow economy

Take note – story published 5 years ago

For the second year, a social media campaign has been launched by government officials from various agencies and departments targeting the shadow economy and dishonest activities in business and the workplace.

There is even an English-language video on the subject, which you can view above and which quotes research estimating the scale of workplace fraud in Latvia.

Operating under the #Atkrāpies! hashtag (the English equivalent being FraudOff!), the long-term goal is "to achieve zero tolerance among the population against fraud in our country," according to a release from the Finance Ministry. 

In 2018, the movement specifically addresses young people aged 16 to 24, informing them of the five considerations that should be taken into account when establishing a working relationship with a potential employer.

  1. If the employer cheats in one area, he or she probably runs others too.
  2. Do not agree to "envelope wages" (i.e. cash in hand, tax-free).
  3. Get an employment contract.
  4. The employer must teach you how to work safely. Ask if you do not understand.
  5. Check if the employer pays taxes for you.

"Fraud and dishonest behavior affects each of us, even if we do not notice or pretend not to notice it everyday. Paying taxes and signing an employment contract may often be less important and formal for young people. However, failing to take into account these aspects, it may happen that they do not receive the promised remuneration for a fair job," said Jana Salmiņa, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

 

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