The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) has proposed raising the country’s minimum monthly wage by at least EUR 55 to EUR 835 in 2027, LETA reports. Currently, Latvia’s minimum wage stands at EUR 780 per month, while the tax-free income threshold is EUR 550 per month. LBAS noted that under government rules, the…
Employer and trade union groups in Estonia have begun talks on raising the minimum wage, ERR reports. Under an agreement signed in 2022, the minimum wage was to rise to 50% of the average wage by 2027. The monthly minimum wage would thus increase by about EUR 100 to just under EUR 1,000 in 2026….
The Foreign Investors Council in Latvia (FICIL) has called for reforming the country’s labour laws, LSM reports. FICIL said that Latvia’s labour market faced “growing structural challenges”, which it said were “driven by demographic decline, a mismatch between labour skills and market needs, and outdated regulations.” The business lobby group called for reforms to “enhance…
Lithuania’s incoming centre-left government has revealed its draft programme for the next four years, LRT reports. The new coalition plans to focus on welfare, with more child benefits and better accessibility to health care and education. Also, the government may make changes to tax policy, moving towards progressive taxation. The new government plans to reverse…
The Estonian government may triple the country’s immigration quota, Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo announced, ERR reports. The current quota amounts to 1,303 people or 0.1% of Estonia’s permanent population per year. Keldo suggested that the quota could be raised to 2,600 people normally and to 3,900 people when annual GDP growth exceeds…
The Estonian Trade Union Confederation (EAKL) and the Confederation of Estonian Employers (ETK) have begun negotiations on the minimum wage for 2025, ERR reports. EAKL demands that the minimum wage be raised by 12%. Arto Aas, managing director of ETK, has little hope of an agreement. Earlier, EAKL and ETK signed a “goodwill agreement” to…
Latvia’s Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Welfare have proposed reducing the amount that employers pay for sick leave, LSM reports. Under the proposal, the first day of sick leave would remain unpaid, while days 2-3 would be compensated at 60% of the salary and days 4-8 at 70%. From the 9th day onwards, the…
The Lithuanian Education Employees Trade Union (LSDPS) started a teacher strike on 29 September 2023, LRT reports. The union expects around 3,000 teachers to join the strike. LSDPS chairman Andrius Navickas said that the strike could last about a month. Teachers will march on Vilnius and will hold a picket in front of the government…
Latvia’s Education Minister Anda Čakša (New Unity) refused to resign as demanded by the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA), LSM reports. She insisted that her actions as minister thus far had provided no grounds for such a demand. Čakša recognised the need to address the budgetary allocation for teacher salaries during…