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.

• Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to send a mission to Latvia to examine the situation regarding rights of ethnic minorities and non-citizens in the country
• The Ministry of Welfare proposes easing procedure on issuing working permits for guest workers from non-EU countries
• Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins and the Minister of Interior Ivars Godmanis about draft concept on migration of labour force
• Head of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks: the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has done nothing for promotion of integration
• Chas and Vesti Segodnya report on a visit of Nils Usakovs, MP and leader of the political party The Concord Centre to the U.S.A.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is planning to send a mission to Latvia to examine the situation regarding the rights of ethnic minorities and non-citizens in the country. According to a member of the Chamber of Local Governments Yan Micallef, Latvian authorities have ignored four times the invitation by the Congress to visit the Council of Europe to discuss problems of ethnic minorities in Latvia.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is planning to send a mission to Latvia to examine the situation regarding the rights of ethnic minorities and non-citizens in the country. According to a member of the Chamber of Local Governments Yan Micallef, Latvian authorities have ignored four times the invitation by the Congress to visit the Council of Europe to discuss problems of ethnic minorities in Latvia. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of Welfare has proposed easing procedures on issuing working permits for guest workers from non-EU countries. According to the proposal, to invite guest workers employers will have to submit all required documents only to the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board. The Ministry of Welfare considers that attraction of foreign labour force should be used only as absolute necessity.

The Ministry of Welfare has proposed easing procedures on issuing working permits for guest workers from non-EU countries. According to the proposal, to invite guest workers employers will have to submit all required documents only to the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board. The Ministry of Welfare considers that attraction of foreign labour force should be used only as absolute necessity. Chas

Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and the Minister of Interior Ivars Godmanis (Latvias First Party/Latvias Way) about draft concept on migration of labour force. According to Ivars Godmanis, there are two alternatives of the concept: to change nothing in the present Latvian migration policy or to introduce quotas for influx of the most needed foreign specialists. Gaidis Berzins has stated that free movement of labour force in the EU countries does not require specific concepts, therefore, there is no need to change present migration policy. Gaidis Berzins also believes that if Latvia opens its labour market for nationals of non-EU countries it might create uncontrolled influx of guest workers.

Vesti Segodnya prints criticism about the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens by the head of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks. Mr. Kuzmuks considers that the Minister has done nothing for the promotion of naturalisation, for the promotion of teaching Latvian language for indigent people, and for combating discrimination and ethnic and racial intolerance. Mr. Kuzmuks considers that ineffective activities of the Minister and the Secretariat mean that either the Minister must be changed or there is a need for the evaluation of the work of the institution.

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report on a visit of the MP, leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Usakovs to the United States of America. According to Mr. Usakovs, it was the first official visit of Russian speaking politician from Latvia to the U.S. During the visit Nils Isakovs met several U.S. diplomats and parliamentarians informing them about politics in Latvia, including situation with Russian speaking residents.