Lithuanian trade unions support the manifestation in Latvia

Lithuanian trade unions support the requirements of Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) and organize the support action next to Latvian embassy at 13:00 today

Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) calls Latvia people to participate in the manifestation “For Latvia. Against Injustice.”

 The manifestation will take place 18 June 12.00 in Riga Esplanade Square and in Latvia regions.

Trade unions of Latvia are frustrated learning what methods are used by the Government to decrease budget deficit by 500 million Latvian Lats (LVL).

The new budget provisions say that from the 1^st of July 2009 wages for public sector employees will be cut by 20%, untaxed minimum will be reduced from 90 LVL to 35 LVL, pensions will be cut by 10% for nonworking pensioners and 70% for working pensioners, parental benefit will be cut by 50% for working parents.

Trade unions demand the Government not to cut financing for the basic state functions- education, health care and security.

“We agree on drastic budget cuts but we have also seen still big reserves in budgets of the ministries to be cut”, says Peteris Krigers, President of LBAS. During last week he actively participated in working groups of the Ministry of Finance together with other social partners.

The state budget amendments will be considered for the adoption in the Parliament of Latvia 16 July 2009. Before the Parliament Session at 11.00 trade union leaders will stand in the picket line at the Parliament Building to protest against these unacceptable amendments.

 LDF info