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.

• Employees of Russian kindergartens are worried by new language checkups

Employees of Russian kindergartens are worried by new language checkups initiated by “Unity” deputies of Riga city council. The employees passed necessary language exams or received education in Latvian language, yet the checkups represent a “shock” and disrupt work, because the language inspectors come unannounced. Human rights lawyer Elizabeta Krivcova believes that part of the problem is that the law does not provide specific regulation of how the checkups should be conducted and that the language inspectors are focusing on persons’ fluency, not on language usage in official communication and documents. “Unity” deputies link the initiative to the need to promote integration of society.

Employees of Russian kindergartens are worried by new language checkups initiated by Unity deputies of Riga city council. The employees passed necessary language exams or received education in Latvian language, yet the checkups represent a shock and disrupt work, because the language inspectors come unannounced. Human rights lawyer Elizabeta Krivcova believes that part of the problem is that the law does not provide specific regulation of how the checkups should be conducted and that the language inspectors are focusing on persons fluency, not on language usage in official communication and documents. Unity deputies link the initiative to the need to promote integration of society. Vesti Segodnya