Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Review

During the September 14 government meeting along with the draft budget for 2000 the Cabinet plans to consider several amendments to tax legislation, like imposing personal income tax on dividends as well as profit form bank deposits. Also, there is a possibility that excise tax will be imposed on all bear. The Finance Ministry has intended to reduce real estate tax from 4 to 2% to attract foreign investors for upgrading real estate. The ministry is looking at the possibility to raise the minimal salary to increase personal income tax payments to the budget.

During the September 14 government meeting along with the draft budget for 2000 the Cabinet plans to consider several amendments to tax legislation, like imposing personal income tax on dividends as well as profit form bank deposits. Also, there is a possibility that excise tax will be imposed on all bear. The Finance Ministry has intended to reduce real estate tax from 4 to 2% to attract foreign investors for upgrading real estate. The ministry is looking at the possibility to raise the minimal salary to increase personal income tax payments to the budget. Diena, Neatkariga

Almost 20 MP s chose different Saeima’s commissions yesterday, the day of the first Saeima meeting. The move was connected with the intention of the ruling coalition to ensure majority in all commissions to have the support for the government projects.

Almost 20 MP s chose different Saeimas commissions yesterday, the day of the first Saeima meeting. The move was connected with the intention of the ruling coalition to ensure majority in all commissions to have the support for the government projects. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

The World Bank fully supports the amendments to the Pension Law offered by the government and has opinion that these unpopular decisions were the only possibility to save the pension system that was distorted at the time of parliament election campaign.

The World Bank fully supports the amendments to the Pension Law offered by the government and has opinion that these unpopular decisions were the only possibility to save the pension system that was distorted at the time of parliament election campaign. Diena

The Board of Naturalisation is planned to be turned into the Board of Citizenship and National Issues under the supervision of Justice Ministry. The information was released by the Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs after his meeting with Andris Skele.

The Board of Naturalisation is planned to be turned into the Board of Citizenship and National Issues under the supervision of Justice Ministry. The information was released by the Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs after his meeting with Andris Skele. Diena

Due to the hard economic situation in the country it is planned to reduce by one third (200,000 instead of 600,000 lats) the budget allocations to pay bonuses for Latvian language teachers in non-Latvian schools.

Due to the hard economic situation in the country it is planned to reduce by one third (200,000 instead of 600,000 lats) the budget allocations to pay bonuses for Latvian language teachers in non-Latvian schools. Chas

11 schools will be closed and several reorganised this year. Closing of the schools in Bauska, Cesis, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Liepaja, Tukums, Valka, Ventspils, and Daugavpils districts is mainly due to the small number of students there. Last year 10 schools were closed.

11 schools will be closed and several reorganised this year. Closing of the schools in Bauska, Cesis, Jelgava, Jekabpils, Liepaja, Tukums, Valka, Ventspils, and Daugavpils districts is mainly due to the small number of students there. Last year 10 schools were closed. Neatkariga

The participation of Latvia’s Way deputy Normunds Rudevics in the international conference on Gypsy issues in Vienna will cost 457 lats for the Saeima. The Saeima’s Presidium earlier rejected the request to grant the money for the trip as there was no money for unplanned trips in Saeima’s budget. The Saeima Speaker Janis Straume told the press that due to the international importance of the conference and the attention of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel paid to it the Saeima decided to grant the money.

The participation of Latvias Way deputy Normunds Rudevics in the international conference on Gypsy issues in Vienna will cost 457 lats for the Saeima. The Saeimas Presidium earlier rejected the request to grant the money for the trip as there was no money for unplanned trips in Saeimas budget. The Saeima Speaker Janis Straume told the press that due to the international importance of the conference and the attention of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel paid to it the Saeima decided to grant the money. Diena