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.

Prime Minister: information about guest workers on the government-funded "Castle of Light" construction is unpleasant

FHRUL is concerned with significant drop in naturalization

In a morning TV show on 16th of August, the Prime Minister of Latvia Valdis Dombrovskis commented earlier information that five guest workers from Bulgaria are employed by companies which are building the "Castle of Light" National Library Project. The Prime Minister said it was “unpleasant” to hear information that enterprises, which fulfill government contracts, are hiring guest workers, while official unemployment in Latvia is 15%. 2008 contract envisaged 135,2 million Lats including VAT (192,4 million Euros) for the "Castle of Light" construction.

In a morning TV show on 16th of August, the Prime Minister of Latvia Valdis Dombrovskis commented earlier information that five guest workers from Bulgaria are employed by companies which are building the "Castle of Light" National Library Project. The Prime Minister said it was unpleasant to hear information that enterprises, which fulfill government contracts, are hiring guest workers, while official unemployment in Latvia is 15%. 2008 contract envisaged 135,2 million Lats including VAT (192,4 million Euros) for the "Castle of Light" construction. Chas, Telegraf

The Minister of Interior Linda Murniece responded to the enquiry of MPs of the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) “On public availability of naturalization data”. Updates were no longer available via the internet after the functions of the Naturalisation Board were handed over to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in March. In 2010, 17% of naturalization applicants failed history exam, while 45% failed language exam. FHRUL expressed its concern that the naturalization rate has diminished more than 9 times comparing to 2005 data and that given the current rate of naturalization, it could take up to 172 years to give citizenship to all 344 thousands of non-citizens.

The Minister of Interior Linda Murniece responded to the enquiry of MPs of the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) On public availability of naturalization data. Updates were no longer available via the internet after the functions of the Naturalisation Board were handed over to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in March. In 2010, 17% of naturalization applicants failed history exam, while 45% failed language exam. FHRUL expressed its concern that the naturalization rate has diminished more than 9 times comparing to 2005 data and that given the current rate of naturalization, it could take up to 172 years to give citizenship to all 344 thousands of non-citizens. Chas