Latvian government defers decision on importing high-skill labor

RIGA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Latvian cabinet ministers at a meeting on Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on new regulations that would make hiring highly skilled guest workers easier, with the proposal to import scientists from foreign countries triggering the hottest debate.

Representatives of the Latvian trade union of education and science employees argued that researchers from foreign countries, including from countries outside the European Union (EU), are already working in Latvia and that instead of importing more of them, it would be necessary to support local scientists more.

"Science funding has been insufficient for years already, which has been noted also by foreign institutions," said the trade union's leader Inga Vanaga.

The Latvian Economics Ministry has drafted a list of professions where Latvia is already facing severe labor shortages and suggested inviting skilled employees from abroad to fill these job vacancies.

Under the Economics Ministry's proposal, which the government considered at its meeting on Tuesday, Latvia would be able to import guest workers of 237 professions in areas like scientific research, physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, ICT, manufacturing, electrical technology and electronics, construction, financial analysis, fisheries, aviation and technical maintenance.

After discussions with medics' organizations it has been decided not to attract medical workers from abroad.

Since Latvian Economics Minister Arvils Aseradens is on a foreign visit at the moment, the government decided to postpone the final decision on importing foreign workforce until the minister returns to Latvia, but the list of guest workers' desirable professions is unlikely to change much. Enditem