The municipality warned that a number of other changes would soon come into force, affecting Ukrainian civilians, and to help many of them to get on their feet, there would be job offers at various municipal companies.
Employment is one of the most pressing challenges currently facing a large number of Ukrainian civilians. So on Thursday, May 26, for the first time, a special labor exchange will be installed at the Ukrainian Residents Support Center in Rīga, Kaļķu Street, to help employers and workers meet.
It would start with 177 vacancies in Riga capital companies: Maternity Hospital, 2nd Hospital, Rīga public transport, the Zoo, and others. Private companies will also be invited to participate at other times.
As decided by the government, as of Wednesday, May 25, the covered cost of accommodation for refugees at hotels is reduced from €20 to €15 a day, while catering from €15 to €10. Therefore, certain hotels have refused further accommodation for Ukrainian asylum seekers.
The Islande Hotel has housed 250 Ukrainians so far. The head of the hotel Andris Kalniņš said with the reduced state support, it would be impossible to continue providing accommodation and especially catering.
He added that the hotel would provide services to Ukrainians for a week, at its expense, not at the reduced price.
Irina, who LTV met at the Islande Hotel, said she was very grateful for her comfortable place of residence but had just learned of the changes. I am surprised we will no longer be housed here because we are traveling back to Ukraine on June 3. I found, in one group, that there were volunteers going to Ukraine for free, and I booked places for me and my daughters, and now I came down and I need three more days to stay here, but I can't. "
Police officers and Riga social service have tried to inform refugees that they will not be homeless and no one will be thrown on the street. Irina said she had not received any information in recent days that any changes were planned, nor did she know that the municipality would provide another accommodation.
In total, around 2,000 refugees from Ukraine live in tourism accommodation in Riga. Riga Municipal Police officers should move 570 refugees to other accommodation shortly. On Tuesday, 24 May, 200 people were relocated, others will be transferred until Monday.
