Employment
With employers and trade unions unable to agree on a solution to changes in sick pay, the Ministry of Economics, together with the Ministry of Welfare, has put forward a proposal to reduce the amount employers pay for sick leave. The trade unions are categorically opposed to this, Latvian Radio reported June 2.
SJSC "Latvian Railways/Latvijas dzelzceļš" (LDz) will lay off 298 workers employed in cleaning railway infrastructure premises and territories, representatives of LDz told LETA on June 21.
Estimate of the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) published on June 20 shows that in 2023 the average hourly gross earnings of women were 16.5 % lower than those of men.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) estimate published on June 20 shows that in May 2024 actual unemployment rate in Latvia was 6.6 % and it has reduced by 0.3 percentage points over the month.
Updated information published by Eurostat June 18 shows Latvia as having one of the European Union's smallest gender employment gaps.
More than 12,000 students will have a summer job this summer through the State Employment Agency (NVA). This is at least 2,000 more than originally planned, Zemgale regional television reported on June 19.
Data from the Central Statistical Bureau published June 14 show that in Q1 2024 there were 24.5 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which is 0.6 thousand vacancies or 2.5 % more than in Q1 2023.
In 2023, the actual weekly working hours for people aged 20-64 in their main job, in the EU, averaged 36.1 hours – but Latvians work a couple of hours longer (38.4 hours), according to Eurostat data published May 30.
In Q1 2024, compared to Q1 2023, the sharpest rise in average earnings before taxes was registered in Latvia (11.0 %), followed by Lithuania (10.3 %), while the slowest was in Estonia (8.8 %).
According to research carried out for LSM's Latvian language service, most employees in Latvia have a good relationship with their bosses.
Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on May 24 show that in Q1 2024 Latvia had an unemployment rate of 7.2 %.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) estimates published May 20 shows that in April 2024 the actual unemployment rate in Latvia was 6.9 % and it reduced by 0.3 percentage points over the month.
The Latvian State Chancellery has announced a new competition for the position of director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) on Monday, May 20.
As seasonal work approaches, farms look for seasonal workers. Workforce is lacking as usual, Zemgale regional television reported on May 2.
In 2023, 7.1% of employed people in the EU worked long hours in their main job, but in Latvia working long hours is much rarer, according to Eurostat data published May 1.
More than 800 employers have applied for summer employment of pupils at the State Employment Agency (NVA), the agency LETA found out at NVA.
A Central Statistical Bureau estimate published on April 17 shows that 42.7 % of the 806 thousand people employed on the national labor market (people aged 25 and over) had higher education at the beginning of 2023.
The Latvian Association of Free Trade Unions of (LBAS) is urging the establishment of a minimum wage equivalent to 50% of the average monthly wage in the country.
Two months ago, rules were adopted that employers can pay guest workers the average wage in the sector, instead of the national average, as was previously the case. Employers welcome the government's decision but admit that the effect will only be felt in the coming months, Latvian Radio reported April 10.
With the government's decision of January this year, employers are allowed to pay foreign workers a wage that is not less than the average gross monthly wage of Latvian workers in the sector in the previous year or equivalent to the minimum wage set by the sector's general agreement.
With the government's decision of January this year, employers are allowed to pay foreign workers a wage that is not less than the average gross monthly wage of Latvian workers in the sector in the previous year or equivalent to the minimum wage set by the sector's general agreement.
More than 100 million euros devoted to adult education are now being "burned aimlessly", because education programs have minimal connection with labor market needs, Andris Bite, President of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia (LDDK), said in an interview with Latvian Television on April 3.
In 2023, average hourly labor costs were estimated at €31.8 in the EU and at €35.6 in the euro area, according to Eurostat figures published March 27. However, this average masks sizeable gaps between EU Member States. Hourly labor costs range from €9.3 in Bulgaria to €53.9 in Luxembourg – with Latvia still recording one of the bloc's lowest labor costs on €13.5.
A month ago, the Latvian Television broadcast "Forbidden Method" reported on four occupational safety incidents in the factory of "Tukuma piens/Tukums Milk". The workers suffered severe injuries to their hands, including the loss of fingers. The State Labor Inspectorate is still looking at one of the cases, Latvian Radio reported on March 28.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) estimate of March 21 shows that in February 2024 actual unemployment rate in Latvia was 7.2 % and it has risen by 0.1 percentage points over the month.
Data published by Eurostat February 29 reveals that in 2022 the unadjusted gender pay gap in Latvia was 17.1% (provisional figure).
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data published February 28 show that in 2023 the gross average monthly wage for full-time work in Latvia amounted to EUR 1 537.
In a span of a couple of months, four employees of the "Tukuma piens" dairy producer company, more commonly known under the brand "Baltais" ("White"), have got serious injuries. Latvian Television's "Forbidden Method", aired February 26, checked concerns about the employer's lax attitude to safety and employee health.
Over the past year and a half, the number of job advertisements and vacancies has dropped by almost half, and currently, staff shortages are not as big a problem as weak demand, said economist of Citadele Bank Mārtiņš Āboliņš commenting on the latest employment data February 23.
Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) published on February 23 by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in Latvia 884.2 thousand people or 64.2 % of the population aged 15–74 were employed in 2023.
Latest estimates from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) February 20 show that in January 2024 the actual unemployment rate in Latvia stod at 7.1 % – unchanged over the month. Over the year the unemployment rate increased by 0.7 percentage points.
Unemployed persons registered with the State Employment Agency (NVA) have been observed to return to the labor market faster over the past three years, LETA reported on February 18.
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