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.

• Head of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Janis Endzins: draft amendments to the Labour Law is unreasonable intervention in the commercial activities
• Newspapers report about the celebration of the end of the WWII or “Victory Day” on 9 May in Riga

Head of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Janis Endzins believes that the draft amendments forbidding the employers to require potential employees for foreign language proficiency is unreasonable intervention in the commercial activities.  As reported, the Saeima reviews the draft amendments to the Labour Law stipulating that the employers will not be allowed to demand for foreign language proficiency unless it is necessary for work duties and also it will be prohibited to indicate in the job announcements requirement for foreign language proficiency. Mr Endzins believes that such amendment will lower the competitiveness of enterprises. Latvian entrepreneurs work in the global market where foreign language skills are essential requirements for workers, believes Mr Endzins. Chas

Newspapers report about the celebration of the end of the WWII or “Victory Day” on 9 May in Riga. The mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs made a speech at the event saying the veterans defeated the Nazism because they were united and did not differentiate the people by ethnic background, language or belief. The Mayor said when ethnic Latvians and Russians will be united there will be no need in referendums to come to an agreement and to respect each others traditions, culture, views and language. The organisers of the event also read the message of the President of Latvia Andris Berzins to the veterans from the stage. The President stressed that the sacrifices made during the war were not in vain because now more than sixty years the world lives without such huge military conflicts. According to the organisers of the event, about 150,000 attended it. Newspapers also note that organisers of the event prohibited the initiators of the collection of signatures for support of granting Latvian citizenship to non-citizens to collect signatures at the place of celebration events. The Victory Day continues to be widely celebrated by certain sections of the population in the former Soviet republics. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Latvijas Avize