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.

• Ministry of Welfare: Latvia does not need guest workers
• Rigas Balss prints an article on migration and possible influx of guest workers to Latvia
• FHRUL does not support proposal to elect President by general suffrage
• Riga Regional Court issued ruling in the case of bribery in the Naturalisation Board
• Amnesty International will publish a report on the situation concerning Russian speaking residents of Latvia in 2009
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a conference Cultural Inheritance of Ukrainians in the Baltic Countries in the Context of Social Integration held in Riga

According to the Ministry of Welfare, Latvia does not need guest workers because there are still ineffectively used domestic labour sources. As reported, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia will not introduce any barriers regarding free movement of people from Rumania and Bulgaria after both countries join the EU on 1 January 2007.

According to the Ministry of Welfare, Latvia does not need guest workers because there are still ineffectively used domestic labour sources. As reported, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia will not introduce any barriers regarding free movement of people from Rumania and Bulgaria after both countries join the EU on 1 January 2007. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Rigas Balss prints an article on migration and possible influx of guest workers to Latvia. According to representative of the State Employment Agency Ilze Haberlinga there are 700 registered guest workers in Latvia who have arrived in 2006, mainly from Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, Moldova and India. However, Mrs. Haberlinga noted that the actual number of guest workers is bigger than official data. The majority of guest workers are employed in construction, transport, service and other industries. The President of the Latvian Construction Association Viktors Purins argued that lack of qualified labour force is the main reason of a possible influx of guest workers to Latvia.

The political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) does not support the proposal of the political party “The Concord Centre” to hold a referendum on a bill stipulating election of President by general suffrage. The FHRUL argues that general suffrage would not be democratic due to large number of Latvian residents (Latvian non-citizens) who have no voting rights.

The political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) does not support the proposal of the political party The Concord Centre to hold a referendum on a bill stipulating election of President by general suffrage. The FHRUL argues that general suffrage would not be democratic due to large number of Latvian residents (Latvian non-citizens) who have no voting rights. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

On Monday, the Riga Regional Court issued a ruling in the case of  bribery in the Naturalisation Board. The three accused persons were found guilty and imposed pecuniary penalties. As reported, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau detained three persons - the head of the Valmiera branch of the Naturalisation Board, the head of the headquarters of Riga Municipality Police and an entrepreneur on the charges of providing mediator services in bribing.

On Monday, the Riga Regional Court issued a ruling in the case of bribery in the Naturalisation Board. The three accused persons were found guilty and imposed pecuniary penalties. As reported, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau detained three persons - the head of the Valmiera branch of the Naturalisation Board, the head of the headquarters of Riga Municipality Police and an entrepreneur on the charges of providing mediator services in bribing. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The worldwide organisation on protection of human rights “Amnesty International” has stated that a report on situation concerning Russian speaking residents of Latvia will be published only in 2009. The “Amnesty International” also has noted that Latvia is under its permanent supervision.

The worldwide organisation on protection of human rights Amnesty International has stated that a report on situation concerning Russian speaking residents of Latvia will be published only in 2009. The Amnesty International also has noted that Latvia is under its permanent supervision. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Ukrainian Union of Latvia, the Ukrainian Ethnic-Cultural Association Dnipro and the International Cultural Centre RSEBAA have held the Third International Scientifically – Practical conference Cultural Inheritance of Ukrainians in Baltic Countries in the Context of Social Integration in Riga.