• The State Employment Agency approved 779 work permits for citizens of non-EU countries in the first half of 2009

The State Employment Agency (SEA) approved 779 work permits for citizens of non-EU countries in the first half of 2009. In the first half of 2008 the SEA approved 1,728 work permits. The demand for guest workers in Latvia has decreased due to reduction in manufacturing, services and building industries.

The State Employment Agency (SEA) approved 779 work permits for citizens of non-EU countries in the first half of 2009. In the first half of 2008 the SEA approved 1,728 work permits. The demand for guest workers in Latvia has decreased due to reduction in manufacturing, services and building industries. NRA

• Latvijas Avize prints an article about activist of Russian NGOs Viktors Guscins

Latvijas Avize prints an article about activist of Russian NGOs Viktors Guscins. According to the article, Mr. Guscins all the time stresses that ethnic Russian residents in Latvia after the fall of the Soviet Union are treated as second-rate persons, while, Russian language is treated as foreign language.

• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dissociated itself from initiative of an NGO Russkie on issuing Card of Russian
• Liepaja City Council established a commission on affairs of non-citizens and foreign citizens

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dissociated itself from initiative of an NGO “Russkie” on issuing “Card of Russian” to Russia’s compatriots residing in Baltic States, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Moldova. According to a representative of the Russian Ministry, such action is provocation aimed against Russia because the countries where such cards will be issued will blame Russia for establishment of “fifth column.” As reported, the NGO “Russkie” announced it started issuing “Card of Russian” which would provide various benefits for its holders.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dissociated itself from initiative of an NGO Russkie on issuing Card of Russian to Russias compatriots residing in Baltic States, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Moldova. According to a representative of the Russian Ministry, such action is provocation aimed against Russia because the countries where such cards will be issued will blame Russia for establishment of fifth column. As reported, the NGO Russkie announced it started issuing Card of Russian which would provide various benefits for its holders. Chas

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Liepaja City Council established a commission on affairs of non-citizens and foreign citizens. The commission includes representatives of ethnic minority NGOs. There are 29% of non-citizens and 6,500 Russias citizens among Liepajas residents.

• Ainars Slesers: Latvias Fist Party/Latvias Way and the Concord Centre might run for the next Saeima elections as one list

Yesterday, leader of the Latvia’s Fist Party/Latvia’s Way (LFP/LW), vice-Mayor of the Riga City Council Ainars Slesers stated that the parties LFP/LW and the Concord Centre (CC) might run for the next Saeima elections as one list. However, according to

Yesterday, leader of the Latvias Fist Party/Latvias Way (LFP/LW), vice-Mayor of the Riga City Council Ainars Slesers stated that the parties LFP/LW and the Concord Centre (CC) might run for the next Saeima elections as one list. However, according to Telegraf, other leaders of both parties were surprised by such statement and asserted that no discussions were held about the merger. Political expert interviewed by the newspaper believes that such statement might be aimed at split inside the CC. The MP Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL) believes that if the two parties merge Ainars Slesers would gain votes of Russian speaking residents, while the CC would get a chance to enter the governing coalition.

• Eizenija Aldermane: ethnic minority schools could be reorganized into multifunctional centres
• Diena reports about Latvia wide bike tour Mention Tolerance

Head of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of the Riga City Council Eizenija Aldermane considers that ethnic minority schools could be reorganized into multifunctional centres. For instance some schools could share their premises with ethnic minority NGOs.

Head of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of the Riga City Council Eizenija Aldermane considers that ethnic minority schools could be reorganized into multifunctional centres. For instance some schools could share their premises with ethnic minority NGOs. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Diena reports about Latvia wide bike tour Mention Tolerance held by the Latvian Red Cross. Aim of the campaign is to promote tolerance in the country.