emn focussed study - european commission · Čiekurkalna 1. line 1, b-3, riga, latvia, lv-1026...

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EMN FOCUSSED STUDY

INTEGRATION OF BENEFICIARIES OF INTERNATIONAL/HUMANITARIAN PROTECTION INTO THE

LABOUR MARKET IN LATVIA: POLICIES AND GOOD PRACTICES

Riga, December 2015

Integration of beneficiaries of international/humanitarian protection into the labour market in Latvia: policies and good practices

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Pursuant to Council Decision 2008/381/EC of 14 May 2008, the European Migration Network was established, its objective shall be to meet the information needs of European Union institutions and of Member States’ authorities and institutions, by providing up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum, with a view to supporting policymaking in the European Union in these areas. The European Migration Network also serves to provide the general public with information on these subjects.

The Network is composed by the European Commission and the contact points designated by the Member States. Each contact point establishes a national migration network.

The contact point of each state prepares studies, whose topics have been set in the respective annual programme of activities. The topics of studies are related to the area of migration of third-country nationals.

The Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network is the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Contacts:

Čiekurkalna 1. line 1, B-3,

Riga, Latvia, LV-1026

Telephone: +371 67219492

Fax: +371 67219431

E-mail: [email protected]

Web page: www.emn.lv

Author of the Study:

Kitija Kursa, Expert of the Latvian Contact Point of the European Migration Network

Editor:

Maira Roze, Deputy Head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information included therein.

Co-funded by the European Union

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.emn.lv/


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DEFINITIONS

The following key terms are used in the Common Template. The definitions are taken from the EMN

Glossary v3.01 unless specified otherwise in footnotes.

Support measures to access to housing: in the context of this Study, support measures for access to

housing include those measures that facilitate finding accommodation for those who cannot find it

themselves. This could include social housing, state funded housing in the private sector, provision of

financial resources to access housing etc.

Asylum: A form of protection given by a State on its territory, based on the principle of non-refoulement

and internationally or nationally recognised refugee rights and which is granted to a person who is

unable to seek protection in their country of citizenship and / or residence, in particular for fear of being

persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political

opinion.

Asylum seeker: In the global context, a person who seeks safety from persecution or serious harm in a

country other than their own and awaits a decision on the application for refugee status under relevant

international and national instruments. In the EU context, a person who has made an application for

protection under the Geneva Convention in respect of which a final decision has not yet been taken.

Applicant for international protection: means a third-country national or a stateless person who has

made an application for international protection in respect of which a final decision has not yet been

taken

Application for asylum: An application made by a foreigner or a stateless person which can be

understood as a request for protection under the Geneva Convention of 1951 or national refugee law.

Application for international protection: A request made by a third-country national or a stateless person

for protection from a Member State, who can be understood to seek refugee status or subsidiary

protection status, and who does not explicitly request another kind of protection, outside the scope of

Directive 2011/95/EU, that can be applied for separately.

Beneficiary of international protection: means a person who has been granted refugee status or

subsidiary protection status

Counselling: in the context of this Study, counselling is understood as different types of counselling in

order to specifically support refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection to access

employment. This could include counselling for trauma as well as other specific problems relating to

the status of refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection where this may present

a barrier, but could also include counselling to assist in job readiness preparation and support.

Geneva Convention: means the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28

July 1951, as amended by the New York Protocol of 31 January 1967

Guaranteed minimum resources refers to benefits provided to people with insufficient resources. It

includes support for destitute and vulnerable persons to help alleviate poverty or assist in difficult

situations (Source: ESSPROS Manual, 2008 Edition, Eurostat).

Durable solutions: Any means by which the situation of refugees can be satisfactorily and permanently

resolved to enable them to live normal lives.

1 Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/networks/european_migration_network/docs/emn-glossary-en-version.pdf


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Education: education in the context of this Study refers to education that has a direct link to employment,

for example, by providing support for the development of higher-level (non-vocational) skills.

Employed persons are persons aged 15 year and over (16 and over in ES, IT, UK and SE (1995-2001);

15-74 years in DK, EE, HU, LV, FI and SE (from 2001 onwards); 16-74 in IS and NO), who during the

reference week performed work, even for just one hour a week, for pay, profit or family gain, or, who

were not at work but had a job or business from which they were temporarily absent because of, e.g.,

illness, holidays, industrial dispute or education and training. (Source: Eurostat)

Humanitarian protection: a person covered by a decision granting authorisation to stay for humanitarian

reasons under national law concerning international protection by administrative or judicial bodies. It

includes persons who are not eligible for international protection as currently defined in the

Qualifications Directive (Directive 2011/95/EU) but are nonetheless protected against removal under

the obligations that are imposed on all Member States by international refugee or human rights

instruments or on the basis of principles flowing from such instruments. […] persons granted a

permission to stay for humanitarian reasons but who have not previously applied for international

protection are not included under this concept.”

Inactive persons are those who are not in the labour force so are neither classified as employed nor as

unemployed. This category therefore does not include job-seekers. (Source: Eurostat)

Integration: In the EU context, a dynamic, two-way process of mutual accommodation by all immigrants

and residents of Member States.

International protection: In the global context, the actions by the international community on the basis

of international law, aimed at protecting the fundamental rights of a specific category of persons outside

their countries of origin, who lack the national protection of their own countries. In the EU context,

protection that encompasses refugee status and subsidiary protection status.

Orientation courses: Orientation courses typically provide factual information about the country of

destination but may also aim to foster positive attitudes for successful adaptation in the long run. These

could include opportunities for migrants to gain (and practice) the necessary skills needed to facilitate

their integration and to develop helpful attitudes including pro‐activity, self‐sufficiency and

resourcefulness (knowing how to find the information they are seeking); skills include knowing how to

conduct oneself in certain situations, time management and goal‐setting, as well as being able to

navigate complex systems including banking, social, health and emergency services, transportation

etc. (Source: IOM Best Practices IOM’s migrant training and pre-departure orientation programmes).

Refugee: In the global context, either a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for

reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is

outside the country of nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail themselves

of the protection of that country, or a stateless person, who, being outside of the country of former

habitual residence for the same reasons as mentioned before, is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling

to return to it. In the EU context, either a third-country national who, owing to a well-founded fear of

persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular

social group, is outside the country of nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to

avail themselves of the protection of that country, or a stateless person, who, being outside of the

country of former habitual residence for the same reasons as mentioned above, is unable or, owing to

such fear, unwilling to return to it, and to whom Art. 12 (Exclusion) of Directive 2011/95/EU does not

apply.

Refugee status: The recognition by a Member State of a third-country national or stateless person as a

refugee.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32011L0095:EN:HTML


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Residence permit: means any permit or authorisation issued by the authorities of a Member State in

the form provided for under that State’s law, allowing a third-country national or stateless person to

reside on its territory

Self-employed persons are persons who are the sole or joint owner of an unincorporated enterprise

(one that has not been incorporated i.e. formed into a legal corporation) in which he/she works, unless

they are also in paid employment which is their main activity (in that case, they are considered to be

employees). Self-employed people also include unpaid family workers; outworkers (who work outside

the usual workplace, such as at home); and workers engaged in production done entirely for their own

final use or own capital formation, either individually or collectively. (Source: Eurostat)

Subsidiary protection status: recognition by a Member State of a third-country national or a stateless

person as a person eligible for subsidiary protection;

Person eligible for subsidiary protection: a third-country national or a stateless person who does not

qualify as a refugee but in respect of whom substantial grounds have been shown for believing that the

person concerned, if returned to his or her country of origin, or in the case of a stateless person, to his

or her country of former habitual residence, would face a real risk of suffering serious harm and is

unable or, owing to such risk, unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country;

Unemployed persons are persons aged 15-74 (in ES, IT, SE (1995-2000), UK, IS and NO: 16-74), who

were without work during the reference week, but currently available for work, or who were either

actively seeking work in the past four weeks or who had already found a job to start within the next

three months. (Source: Eurostat)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: The refugee agency of the United Nations (UN)

mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems

worldwide, and to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees.

Vocational education and training (VET)2: Education and training which aims to equip people with knowledge, know-how, skills and/or competences required in particular occupations or more broadly on the labour market.

.

2 CEDEFOP Terminology of European Education and Training Policy Second Edition 2014


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Top-line “Factsheet”

Overview of the National Contribution – introducing the study and drawing out key facts and

figures from across all sections of the Focussed Study, with a particular emphasis on

elements that will be of relevance to (national) policymakers.

The purpose of the study Integration of beneficiaries of international/humanitarian

protection into the labour market in Latvia: policies and good practices is to gather

information about the activities implemented in Latvia for facilitation of integration of

beneficiaries of international/humanitarian protection in relation to access of beneficiaries

of protection to labour market and their participation in it by studying the existing policies

and examples of good practices.

The study characterises legal regulation, existing policies and examples of good practices

as they are in December 2015.

The study reviews legal and political regulation with respect to access of beneficiaries of

international protection to labour market by paying special attention to the existing

legal/practical obstacles that persons from this group are meeting when looking for a job. It

is reviewed within the study what supporting measures related to employment Latvia offers

to refugees and beneficiaries of alternative and humanitarian protection. It is researched to

what extent such measures are available to the target group and whether the target group

is using such. Finally, the study analyses whether and to what extent is Latvia granting

similar rights and benefits in relation to access to labour market and providing for

employment-related support measures for refugees and alternative status recipients. The

paper has identified any differences in attitude towards such persons because of their status

as well as general differences between the refugees and alternative status recipients on

one hand and legally residing third - country nationals on the other hand.

Upon granting the status of refugee, the legal regulation of Latvia provides for issue of

permanent residence permit, the term of validity of which is 5 years. While upon granting

alternative status, the person is issued a temporary residence permit for 1 year. The

residence permit issued to both groups provides for unlimited right to employment in Latvia.

This means that the person is entitled to work for any employer in Latvia. This is certified

by the record “Entitled to work without limitations” in the residence permits of the persons.

One month prior to expiry of the residence permit, both the refugees and the persons that

have been granted the alternative status must file documents with the Office of Citizenship

and Migration Affairs to renew the residence permit for 5 years or 1 year respectively. Legal

acts of Latvia do not provide for granting the humanitarian protection status within the

asylum procedure.

Integration support measures have been reviewed within the study and they especially

support and are related to the access to labour market and participation in it, namely the

orientation courses, language courses, consulting, availability of places of residence,

education, professional education and vocational training, recognition of professional

qualification and guaranteed minimum funds. A ‘colour blind approach’ is used in Latvia in

the field of labour market integration and support is provided individually, depending on the

individual situation of the person by using the profiling method. Discrimination is prohibited

in the labour market, including the legal employment relations.


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Policy of integration of refugees and persons that have been granted alternative status with

respect to their access to labour market is developed in Latvia by several governmental

institutions: Ministry of Welfare and Ministry of Education and Science, but in practice it is

implemented by the State Employment Agency3, Academic Information Centre4, Latvian

Language Agency, Society Integration Foundation5 as well as local governments and non-

governmental organisations within different projects. Legal regulations provide for

employment of refugees and persons having alternative status without any restrictions. It

means that such persons may work in Latvia for any employer.

The support measures for facilitating integration in labour market available in Latvia are free

Latvian language courses and guidance courses6 offered by the Latvian Language Agency,

non-governmental organisations and local governments where the person has registered

his/her place of residence. It has been concluded in the study Portrait of Third - Country

Nationals in Latvia performed by the Society Integration Foundation in 2015, upon

evaluating different ways how language training is being related to wider integration

possibilities in Latvia, that language courses are performing several functions: the function

of providing for language practice, educational and at the same time also entertainment

function, thus permitting attaining a complex goal: mastering Latvian and getting to know

Latvia and its people. 7 The second largest group of support measures are active

employment measures and preventive unemployment minimisation measures like training

for strengthening and improvement of professional skills offered by the State Employment

Agency to persons that have registered as unemployed or job-seekers.

In the assessment of experts interviewed within the study, the determining factors that limit

job finding possibilities of refugees and persons having alternative status and thereby

prolong the adaptation period are not speaking the official language, low level of education,

lack of professional qualification or low level of professional qualification, high alert level

and difficulties in meeting basic needs (dwelling, health, overall material situation).

Social services in Latvia that are available to persons who have obtained international

protection are divided into two categories: the ones provided for by the state and the ones

that must be provided for by the local government. The state is co-funding the alternative

social rehabilitation service of local governments, development and maintenance of group

houses (apartments) and day centres, as well as support for adjusting the dwelling for

disabled persons. While pursuant to Part One of Section 9 of the Law on Social Services

and Social Assistance,8 the local government in the territory of which a person has

registered his or her main place of residence has a duty to provide the person with a

possibility to receive social services and social assistance corresponding to his or her

needs. Pursuant to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance the right to receive

3 State Employment Agency is the institution subordinate to the Ministry of Welfare. 4 Ministry of Education and Science is one of the founders of the establishment Academic Information Centre. 5 Society Integration Foundation is under institutional supervision of the Prime Minister. 6 According to the conditions of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals programme 2013, along with learning Latvian, third country nationals must be provided with the opportunity “to obtain knowledge about Latvian culture, traditions, history, most topical social and economic issues, state administration system, basic rights and other issues”. Therefore, parallel to courses of Latvian the organisations offering language courses implemented various integration measures as well, the content of which was coordinated with the content aspect of language training, thus strengthening both language fluency and facilitating inclusion of third country nationals in Latvian society and environment. 7 Study Portrait of Third - Country Nationals in Latvia, Society Integration Foundation, 2015, page 72. 8 Law on Social Services and Social Assistance. – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002- [came into force on 01.01.2003]


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social services9 and social assistance10 is granted to citizens and non-citizens of Latvia and

foreigners that have been granted the personal identity number, except for the persons that

have received the temporary residence permit, i.e., for example, to persons that have been

granted alternative status11. Social services and social assistance in Latvia is provided for

by that local government, in the territory of which the particular person is registered. So far,

two local governments have dealt with solving social issues of persons that have obtained

the international protection status: Ropaži, where the asylum seeker housing centre

Mucenieki is located, and Riga, where persons choose to live and work after obtaining the

status. Unfortunately, there is no specific accounting in Latvia about where the persons that

have obtained international protection status are staying and what they are doing further.

No information is gathered in local governments, in the territories of which persons from this

target group reside, as well. Local governments learn about these people only when they

come to the Social Service for assistance.

Non-governmental organisations are playing essential role in Latvia in providing for the

support activities for integration of refugees and persons that have been granted alternative

status and they are providing support within different projects. Majority of such organisations

are united in the society "Shelter "Safe House"" where a team of professionals is operating

since 2008 offering complex assistance to refugees within one institution. Since 2009

already, the activities organised by the society are aimed at increasing self-esteem,

development of knowledge, abilities and skills of the target group (asylum seekers,

refugees, and persons having alternative status) by offering involvement in the professional

qualification courses and places of practice, thus motivating finding a job and also

independence of services of the social assistance institutions.

In 2015 the UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe published a study

“Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, wherein understanding

of integration in Latvia has been summarised through participation of refugees and

experience of the parties involved in integration. The work reviews also legal regulation

related to integration in labour market, the role of institutions involved and available support

measures.12

9 Social services include social care services at the place of residence of a person, care in prolonged social care and social rehabilitation institutions, social rehabilitation services at the place of residence of a person and the institution, professional rehabilitation services and provision with the technical aids. 10 Monetary or material benefit, granting which is based on assessment of material resources of persons (families) that are short

of funds to sustain basic needs. 11 Part 1 of Section 3 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance. 12 UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf, [viewed on 10.09.2015.]


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SECTION 1: ACCESSING THE LABOUR MARKET: RESIDENCE PERMITS AND THE LEGAL RIGHT TO ACCESS THE LABOUR MARKET

Q1 Please provide a brief overview of the legal and policy framework and practices concerning residence rights and labour market access rights granted to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection, linking the (type of) residence permit granted to labour market access rights13. Please distinguish and highlight any differences between the type of residence permit and accompanying labour market access rights between those granted to: a) refugees; b) beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and; c) persons granted humanitarian protection

According to the procedure set forth in the Asylum Law14, upon granting the status of a

refugee the person is issued a permanent residence permit that grants unlimited right to

employment in Latvia pursuant to the Immigration Law15. This means that the persons are

entitled to work for any employer in Latvia. There is a record “Entitled to work without

limitations” in the residence permits of these persons. An individual work permit is not issued

since 2011. The permanent residence permit is valid for 5 years. Afterwards the residence

permit must be renewed.

A person that has obtained alternative status is issued a temporary residence permit for

one year, which provides equal unlimited right to employment in Latvia pursuant to the

Immigration Law. There is a record “Entitled to work without limitations” in the residence

permits of these persons as well. If one month prior to expiry of the term the person that

has been granted alternative status files the application with the Office of Citizenship and

Migration Affairs regarding extension of the term of residence and any condition for receipt

of the alternative status still exists, within one month the official authorised by the Head of

the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs shall adopt the resolution regarding issuing

the temporary residence permit for one more year. During the period of validity of the

temporary residence permit, the right to unrestricted employment is retained.

Thus, the refugees and persons having alternative status have unlimited rights to

employment. According to Section 7 of the Labour Law,16 everyone has an equal right to

work, to fair, safe and healthy working conditions, as well as to fair work remuneration. Such

rights shall be ensured without any direct or indirect discrimination – irrespective of a

person’s race, skin colour, gender, age, disability, religious, political or other conviction,

ethnic or social origin, property or marital status, sexual orientation or other circumstances.

Both the refugees and the persons that have been granted the alternative status have the

right to register as unemployed and job-seekers. According to the Support for Unemployed

Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law17, such persons have the right to the status

of a person seeking employment, who have registered with the State Employment Agency

and:

is not working (is not deemed to be an employee or self-employed in accordance with

the Law on Social Insurance);

13 Please only report on the labour market access rights linked to first residence permits and renewals – see Art. 24 recast Qualification Directive (excluding permanent residence and citizenship permits). 14 Asylum Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 100 (4086), 30.06.2009 - [came into force on 14.07.2009] 15 Immigration Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 169 (2744), 20.11.2002 - [came into force on 01.05.2003] 16 Labour Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 105 (2492), 06.07.2001. – [came into force on 01.06.2002] 17 Support for Unemployed Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 80 (2655), 29.05.2002. – [came into force on 01.07.2002]


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is seeking employment;

is capable of work and is ready to enter into employment relationships without delay;

has reached the age of 15 years; and

does not perform commercial activities or for whom commercial activities have been

suspended in accordance with regulatory enactments;

has not been accepted for a full-time elementary education programme.

While the right to the status of unemployed, after registration with the State Employment

Agency, is granted to the person who

is not working (is not deemed to be an employee or self-employed in accordance with

the Law on Social Insurance);

is seeking employment;

is capable of work and is ready to enter into employment relationships without delay;

has reached the age of 15 years; and

does not perform commercial activities or for whom commercial activities

have been suspended in accordance with regulatory enactments;

has not been accepted for enrolment in a full-time elementary or secondary

education programme;

is not in imprisonment or is not receiving prolonged social care and social

rehabilitation services fully funded from the state or local government budget.

Upon obtaining the status of a person seeking employment or unemployed, the person may,

free of charge, attend the preventive and active employment activities offered by the State

Employment Agency as well as receive advice from specialists of the Agency.

Q2. This question serves to collect comparative information on the national legal/policy framework on residence permits granted to refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection, indicating their duration (by law and in practice) as well as the conditions for applying for permanent residence and citizenship.

Table 1 Residence permits granted to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and persons granted

humanitarian protection

Refugees Beneficiaries of

subsidiary

protection

Beneficiaries of

humanitarian

protection

Comments

Minimum duration

of residence permit

(by law)

Permanent

residence permit for

5 years

Temporary


1 year

n/a To receive the

initial permanent or

temporary

residence permit,

information about

the declared place

of residence in

Latvia must be

delivered.

Maximum duration

(including

A refugee may

renew the

1 year. A person

that has been

n/a Upon granting the

status of refugee, a


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renewals18)

residence permit in

months/years (by

law)

permanent

residence permit

every 5 years or

apply for the

citizenship of Latvia

after 5 years. No

maximum number

of residence permit

renewals is set

forth.

granted alternative

status must renew

the temporary

residence permit

every year. No

maximum number

of residence permit

renewals is set

forth.

person is issued a

permanent

residence permit.

Upon granting the

alternative status, a

person is issued a

temporary

residence permit.

Mean length of

residence permit19

in months/years (in

practice)

5 years 1 year n/a

After how many

years of authorised

stay can an

application for

permanent

residence be

made?

Right after granting

the refugee status

If a third - country

national has

resided in Latvia on

an ongoing basis

for 5 years with a

temporary

residence permit,

he/she is entitled to

submit the

documents for

receipt of

permanent

residence permit.

n/a

What are the

conditions for

permanent

residence?

Refugee status 1) a person has

resided in Latvia on

an ongoing basis20

with a temporary


at least 5 years;

2) the official

language fluency

test exam must be

passed at least on

the 2nd stage of

basic level (A2);

3) a document must

be delivered that

confirms provision

for the required

subsistence;

4) a document must

be delivered that

confirms the details

n/a

18 Including possible renewal (but excluding permanent residence permits and permits granted after application for citizenship)

19 First residence permit including possible renewal (excluding permanent residence permits and permits granted after application for citizenship) 20 Residence in Latvia is deemed continuous if absence from Latvia during the specified period has not exceeded six consecutive months or does not exceed one year in the aggregate. Absence is deemed justified if the reason for it have been circumstances independent of the person: illness of the third country national or force majeure.


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regarding place of

residence in Latvia

After how many

years of authorised

stay can an

application for

citizenship be

made?

After 5 years After 10 years (5

years with a

temporary

residence permit +

5 years with a

permanent

residence permit)

n/a

What are the

conditions for

citizenship?

1) the permanent

place of residence

has been in Latvia

for no less than

previous 5 years, of

which an interval up

to one year is

admissible that

cannot be during

the last year prior to

the date of filing the

application for

naturalisation;

2) the official

language fluency

test must be

passed;

3) a test of principal

provisions of the

Constitution of the

Republic of Latvia,

the text of national

anthem, the basics

of history and

culture of Latvia

must be passed in

Latvian;

4) documents

certifying legal

income must be

presented;

5) a solemn

declaration of

loyalty to the

Republic of Latvia

must be provided.

1) the permanent

place of residence

has been in Latvia

for no less than

previous 5 years

(with a permanent

residence permit),

of which an interval

up to one year is

admissible that

cannot be during

the last year prior to

the date of filing the

application for

naturalisation;

2) the official

language fluency

test must be

passed;

3) a test of principal

provisions of the

Constitution of the

Republic of Latvia,

the text of national

anthem, the basics

of history and

culture of Latvia

must be passed in

Latvian;

4) documents

certifying legal

income must be

presented;

5) a solemn

declaration of

loyalty to the

Republic of Latvia

must be signed;

6) a declaration

regarding waiver of

the previous

citizenship, if any,

must be filed or an

expatriation

permission must be

n/a


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received from the

country of previous

citizenship, if such

is provided for by

the laws of such

country, or a

document certifying

the loss of

citizenship. It

should be

considered that

each situation is

evaluated

individually

because if the

country of origin

does not provide for

waiver of

citizenship in its

laws then the

responsible

institution of Latvia

may not require

doing it.

Q3. Please set out in the table below any conditions that apply to access the labour market (as laid down in national legislation or practice), highlighting any differences with regard to conditions that apply to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection.

.


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Table 2 Conditions linked to access to the labour market for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and humanitarian protection

Refugees Beneficiaries of subsidiary

protection

Beneficiaries of humanitarian

protection

Comments / summary of main

differences amongst the

categories (if any)

Conditions for labour market

access laid down in national

legislation

Immediately after granting the

refugee status, upon receiving

the permanent residence

permit, the person has access

to labour market.

Immediately after granting the

alternative status, upon

receiving the temporary

residence permit, the person

has access to labour market.

n/a No difference.

Conditions for labour market

access that apply in practice

Unrestricted right to

employment, i.e. the right to

work for any employer is

granted.

Unrestricted right to


work for any employer is

granted.

n/a No difference.

Main differences in conditions

(as set out in legislation or in

practice) concerning labour

market access when compared

with other third-country

nationals legally residing on the

territory

Refugees are granted

unrestricted right to


work for any employer. To

receive a residence permit with

the right to employment, third -

country nationals must comply

with the following preconditions:

- must have relevant

qualification (education or 3

years of experience in the

relevant profession);

- must pass a labour market

test.

Persons having alternative

status are granted unrestricted

right to employment, i.e. the

right to work for any employer.

To receive a residence permit

with the right to employment,

third country nationals must

comply with the following

preconditions:

- must have relevant

qualification (education or 3

years of experience in the

relevant profession);

n/a Refugees and persons having

alternative status have simpler

access to labour market.


15

- must pass a labour market

test.


16

SECTION 2: LABOUR MARKET INTEGRATION POLICY AND ITS ORGANISATION

Section 2.1: Overview of labour market integration policies for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection

Q4. Please give an overall summary of your relevant national policies related to labour market integration for refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and humanitarian protection indicating:

- What the main components of your labour market integration policy are (e.g. orientation/language courses, vocational education and training, recognition of qualifications, guaranteed minimum resources, counselling, access to housing etc. Any other?)

- Whether the policy is specific to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection or more generic to all third-country nationals legally residing on Latvia’s territory. If it is specifically tailored to refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection could you briefly explain why this is the case? E.g. what are the reasons based upon which your government decided to specifically tailor policy to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection? (e.g. because their specific needs are acknowledged and it is considered important to address these by specific measures tailored to their situation?)

In Latvia, persons that have been granted refugee or alternative status are adapted into the

overall third - country national integration policy context. So far, considering the small

number of persons that have been granted international protection status in Latvia (they are

122 persons from 2010 to 2014) the involved governmental institutions have had no need

to develop individual integration policy with respect to this target group. The same

integration measures are available to refugees and persons having alternative status as are

available to other third - country nationals that are legally residing in Latvia. The most

important measures with respect to integration in labour market are the offered Latvian

language courses and consulting services. A substantial element of integration is the

unrestricted right of refugees and persons having alternative status to employment that

provides wider possibilities for this target group than to third - country nationals that are

legally residing in Latvia.

While access to social assistance provided by the state is determined by the residence

permit issued to a person; therefore, support provided to refugees and persons having

alternative status differs. Considering that the persons having refugee status have been

issued a permanent residence permit, they may claim all state social allowances21 (if the

21 Law on State Social Allowances – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002. – [came into force on 01/01/2003.] Pursuant to Section 3 of the Law on State Social Allowances: (1) Allowances to be disbursed at regular intervals shall be the following: 1) State family allowance; 2) childcare benefit; 3) guardian’s allowance for a dependent child; 4) remuneration for the fulfilment of a guardian’s duties; 5) remuneration for the fulfilment of a foster family’s duties; 6) an allowance for the compensation of transport expenses for disabled persons who have difficulties in movement; 7) State social security benefit; 8) remuneration for the care of an adopted child; 9) care of disabled child benefit; and 10) an allowance for a disabled person for whom care is necessary (2) Allowances to be disbursed once shall be the following: 1) childbirth allowance; 2) funeral benefit; and 3) remuneration for adoption.


17

criteria for requesting the benefit are fulfilled, for example, birth of a child) as well as the

state social insurance benefits22 like any other resident of Latvia if mandatory state social

insurance contributions have been paid.

If a person has been granted alternative status, he/she cannot claim state social

allowances. Persons that have been granted alternative status, like the refugees, and their

family members can request in the local government and can receive the night home, home,

information and consulting services. A person that has obtained alternative status is entitled

to claim state social insurance benefits if mandatory state social insurance contributions

have been paid. However, such persons cannot claim the benefit for ensuring the

guaranteed minimum level of income.

The information that has been summarised with respect to the Latvian language courses

demonstrates that the majority of language courses are offered periodically, within different

projects implemented by the governmental institutions, local governments and non-

governmental organisations with the support of the European Fund for the Integration of

Third-Country Nationals. According to the conditions of the programme of this Fund for

2013, along with learning Latvian, the opportunity must be provided “to acquire knowledge

about Latvian culture, traditions, history, most topical social and economic issues, state

administration system, basic rights and other issues”23. Cabinet Regulations have set forth

particular activities that may be performed with the co-funding from the Fund for the

Integration of Third-Country Nationals. The supported activities include Latvian language

courses, promoting civil participation, development of volunteer network that would facilitate

integration of third - country nationals into local community, consulting and support with

respect to healthcare, employment and other activities, like training of governmental and

local government employees, exchange of best practices with other European Union

Member States as well as studies regarding integration of third- country nationals in

Latvia.24

Inclusion of refugees and persons having alternative status in the labour market in Latvia is

implemented by the State Employment Agency (hereinafter the SEA); the duties and

rights set forth in the Support for Unemployed Persons and Persons Seeking Employment

Law (including involvement in the active labour market policy measures) apply to both

groups of persons. Refugees and persons having alternative status are entitled to get

involved in the programmes implemented by the SEA if involvement in such is required

according to profiling results. Preventive and active employment measures of the SEA are

available to third - country nationals, including refugees and persons having alternative

status that have been granted the status of unemployed or job-seeker if they meet the

criteria of the measure.

Of all services of the SEA the majority of unemployed that are refugees or persons having

alternative status requires programmes for learning the official language without preliminary

knowledge. For those speaking English the most suitable one is the informal education

programme Official Language Corresponding to the Basic Official Language Fluency Level

22 Unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit and paternity benefit, parental benefit, funeral benefit, compensation for loss of working ability, compensation for loss of the supporter, compensation of damage in relation to work accident or

occupational disease, compensation for additional expenses and services during the period of treatment. 23 Cabinet Regulation No. 292 of 9 June 2014 “Regulation regarding implementation of activities of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals programme 2013”. The Latvian Herald, 126 (5186), 01.07.2014. 24 Cabinet Regulation No. 292 of 9 June 2014 “Regulation regarding implementation of activities of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals programme 2013”. The Latvian Herald, 126 (5186), 01.07.2014.

http://www.lm.gov.lv/text/88












18

with English as Principal Language. After mastering the official language, basics a person

(if required) may start participating in the course Removal of Psychological Barrier upon

Foreigners Mastering the Official Language within the measures for increasing

competitiveness. If the refugee or the person having alternative status has at least minimum

official language fluency (initial communication skills) he/she is involved also into other

informal education programmes and measures for increasing competitiveness for

developing the required basic social and professional skills (digital, communication, vehicle

driving, etc.). In relation to the fact that one of the priority issues of such persons is gaining

income, they are involved also into employment measures (for example, paid temporary

public works).

As acknowledged by the involved experts, the factors limiting possibilities of employment of

refugees and persons having alternative status and extending the adaptation period include

lack of Latvian fluency, low level of education (mainly basic or secondary education), non-

existence of professional qualification or low level of professional qualification, high alert

level and difficulties in sustaining basic needs (dwelling, health, overall material situation).

So far, the number of SEA clients that have been granted the refugee or alternative status

has remained very small: not exceeding 10 persons per annum. Refugees and persons

having alternative status do not have knowledge of the official language; therefore, they

have limited opportunities to participate in the support measures offered by the SEA.

According to statistical data, in 2014, 5 of 9 registered unemployed having the refugee or

alternative status have found job after participation in the activities of the SEA.

Refugees and persons having alternative status may receive unemployment benefit based

on the same conditions as citizens of Latvia: 1) if they qualify for the status of unemployed;

2) if during the period of last 12 months social contributions have been paid for at least 9

months; 3) the total period of social contributions in Latvia has been at least 12 months.

Considering the difficulties in accessing the labour market and finding legal employment,

the majority of refugees and persons having alternative status do not meet the requirements

to receive unemployment benefit25. According to the information provided by the State

Social Insurance Agency, during the period of 2010-2014 unemployment benefit has been

granted to two persons that have received the refugee or alternative status26.

As noted above, support for the refugees or persons having alternative status is not being

somewhat specially organised, it is being provided within the existing programmes and is

funded in the same way as for the other persons.

Section 2.2: Organisation of employment-related support measures

Q5a. Please describe Latvia’s overall organisational approach with regard to labour market integration policy to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection: who are the main state actors responsible for the provision of support measures? At what level is it implemented (national, regional, local) and does Latvia involve any third parties (international organisations/NGOs/other) and if so for what

25 UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and

Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf, [viewed on 12.09.2015.] 26 According to the information provided by the State Social Insurance Agency officials.


19

actions and based on what agreement? E.g. has Latvia concluded any contract/(cooperation) agreement with aforementioned partners (if so which) to implement employment-related support measures and to facilitate access to the labour market?

Integration of persons that have been granted the refugee or alternative status in Latvia is

not under supervision of a single governmental institution. Various aspects of iteration have

been distributed between the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Education

and Science and local governments according to their competence.

Integration-related activities in Latvia are mainly funded by using the mechanisms of the

European Union funds (European Refugee Fund, European Fund for the Integration of

Third-Country Nationals). Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Culture are the leading

governmental institutions in acquiring these funds. Notwithstanding the fact that co-funding

from the state budget is a significant investment, it is, however, insufficient to develop an

independent and continued source of funding, the purpose of which would be promoting

integration of refugees and persons having alternative status. Moreover, local governments

are not receiving additional funding from the state budget for ensuring the measures of

integration of refugees and persons having alternative status.

In the national level, responsibility for refugees and persons having alternative status has

been divided between two ministries: Ministry of Culture is the leading governmental

institution for the issues regarding development of third - country nationals’ integration policy

while the Ministry of the Interior, as a leading institution on a political level, is managing

migration policy. Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter the Office), which is

the institution subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior, is implementing migration policy,

including that it is reviewing the applications for asylum, deciding on extending or

deprivation of the international protection status and providing for the issue of personal

identification, travel documents and residence permits. The Office is responsible for

granting benefits to cover residence costs and their payment to refugees and persons

having alternative status. However, the Office is not gathering information about the

employment or place of residence of such persons after receipt of the international

protection status.

As soon as a person is granted the refugee or alternative status, responsibility for integration

of such persons is undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, the competence of which

includes development and introduction of third - country nationals’ integration policy. To

facilitate discussion and cooperation between the institutions in the field of integration of

third - country nationals, to promote their participation and participation of non-governmental

organisations representing them in development of state policy in the field of public

integration, the Ministry of Culture has formed an Advisory Council for Integration of Third -

Country Nationals27. A public establishment, the Society Integration Foundation, is

operating under supervision of the Prime Minister, the purpose of which is financially

supporting and promoting public integration by attracting funding from the state and local

government budgets. The Society Integration Foundation is implementing programmes

funded from the state budget, European Union policy instruments and foreign financial

assistance programmes by organising project tenders, the target group of which are third -

country nationals legally residing in Latvia, integration activities, including the official

27 Third - country nationals, http://www.km.gov.lv/lv/nozares_info/integracija/treso_valstu_pilsoni.html,[ viewed on 25.09.2015.]


20

language training. Activities supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Society Integration

Foundation are mainly aimed at inclusion of third - country nationals into the society and

cultural environment of Latvia. In this context, measures supported for the integration in

labour market promote learning Latvian language, which facilitates the possibilities of the

target group finding the job in Latvia.

The competence of the Ministry of Welfare includes development of legal acts with respect

to social care, social rehabilitation, professional rehabilitation and binding technical support

for refugees and persons having alternative status as well. Responsibility for ensuring social

assistance and services is divided between the state and local governments having

individual budgets.

The State Employment Agency that is operating under supervision of the Ministry of

Welfare is the institution responsible for ensuring support to unemployed, job-seekers and

persons subject to risk of unemployment. According to the Support for Unemployed Persons

and Persons Seeking Employment Law 28 the State Employment Agency (hereinafter the

SEA) is registering and accounting unemployed and job-seekers as well as performing

profiling of unemployed; is assisting unemployed and job-seekers as well as economically

inactive residents to get involved in labour market; is informing about vacant jobs free of

charge; is organising a dialogue of unemployed, job-seekers and employers to reduce

unemployment; is organising or implementing active employment measures and preventive

unemployment reduction activities; is providing career consultations free of charge.

The SEA support measures are available to third - country nationals, including refugees

and persons having alternative status that have been granted the status of unemployed or

job-seeker, if the client meets the criteria of the measure. The SEA, in cooperation with

other state and local government institutions as well as individuals and legal entities and

unions of such persons, is organising and implementing active employment measures and

preventive unemployment minimisation measures. For implementation of measures and

provision of services, the SEA is selecting the performers of activities: educational

institutions, examination centres, employers, social service providers, craft masters,

consultants, experts, specialists, sign language interpreters, assistants, occupational

therapists and other service providers. The SEA is selecting the performers of activities

according to the requirements set forth in legal acts regarding public procurement29. For

implementation of active employment measures, the SEA is involving employers and

service providers (pursuant to the provisions of the Public Procurement Law). The SEA

cooperation partners are both non-governmental organisations, educational institutions and

employers that get involved in implementation of measures as well as report the vacancies.

The employment agent makes the decision regarding participation of a person in the

activities of the SEA depending on the results of profiling and information obtained during

the interview.

The competence of the Ministry of Education and Science includes introduction of

education policy and ensuring availability of education to refugees and persons having

28 Support for Unemployed Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 80 (2655), 29.05.2002. – [came into force on 01.07.2002.] 29 Cabinet Regulation No. 75 of 25 January 2011 “Regulations Regarding the Procedures for Organising and Financing of Active

Employment Measures and Preventative Measures for Unemployment Reduction and Principles for Selection of Implementers of Measures”, The Latvian Herald, No. 21 (4419), 08.02.2011.


21

alternative status, including minors. In cooperation with the Office of Citizenship and

Migration Affairs, schools and local governments the Ministry of Education and Science

ensures that all children acquire mandatory general basic education as well as promotes

availability of higher and professional education. So far, with respect to refugees and

persons having alternative status the Ministry of Education and Science has provided for

availability of state-funded general education to minors.

The competence of local governments in Latvia includes promoting integration of refugees

and persons having alternative status registered in their administrative territory, including

provision for social assistance and services, the scope of which is determined by the type

of residence permit and social status of the person. Local governments, in cooperation with

the Orphan’s Court, are obliged to ensure protection of minors in their administrative

territory, including ensuring the right of underage persons to education. Considering that

upon granting the refugee status the person and his/her family members are issued

permanent residence permits, they have guaranteed right to receive full range of social

services and assistance offered by the local governments, including services related to

dwelling, finding a job, training and access to education. Persons having alternative status

and their family members are issued temporary residence permits, which, out of the range

of social assistance of local governments, ensures the right to receive information, advice,

spend the night in night homes and receive the social benefit to provide for the guaranteed

minimum level of income.

Several non-governmental organisations are involved in the work with refugees and

persons that have been granted alternative status in Latvia, the largest and most active in

mastering and implementation of projects of which is the society "Shelter "Safe House""

that is providing assistance in integration issues to refugees and persons having alternative

status since 2008 by offering consultations, practical assistance and training, thus

facilitating social and economic and legal integration of such persons. Support is mainly

provided within the projects co-funded by the European Refugee Fund. The organisation

has also provided for material support expressed as support for covering the costs of

dwelling, purchase of clothing and household goods, financial support for educational

activities and medical assistance by purchasing medicinal products, for example. Within the

projects, the organisation has provided for the possibility of refugees receiving professional

training and assistance in finding the place to live and work as well as provided general

information about Latvia, services of state institutions, educational system, labour market

and healthcare system. In addition, the organisation has trained employees of local

governments to prepare them for the work with refugees. Advice of social workers and

lawyers specialising in employment, education and dwelling issues is provided on a

continued basis.30

Q5b. Please indicate whether the provision of the different support measures31 to recipients is in any way centrally coordinated? (i.e. is there one body that coordinates

30 UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf 31 The support measures as included in the scope of this Study, namely: language courses, orientation courses, education, vocational education and training, recognition of qualifications, guaranteed minimum resources, counselling and access to housing.


22

access to the different measures or alternatively do the different authorities structurally exchange information between each other etc.?)

If yes, please provide more information on how the support measures are coordinated? Please elaborate on:

The coordination mechanisms (e.g. agreements/contracts/cooperation agreements/conventions/coordinating / intermediary bodies); and

Please indicate at what level coordination takes place: at national, regional, or local level?

No, there is no single central coordination institution in Latvia for the support measures for

integration of refugees and persons having alternative status. Each governmental institution

and the direct administration institutions that are under its supervision are operating within

their competences according to the political sectors.

Considering that the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council agreed on moving

120,000 persons requiring international protection within a period of two years, the issue has

been brought up in Latvia regarding integration of refugees and persons having alternative

status in Latvia. The Prime Minister’s Order No. 306 “Regarding the working group” was

issued on 22 July 2015, whereby a high-level inter-institutional working group managed by

the Ministry of the Interior was formed for solving the issue of asylum-seekers. The task of

the working group included developing suitable system for acceptance of asylum-seekers,

integration of refugees and persons having alternative status in Latvia. The working group

included State Secretaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry

of Culture, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environmental

Protection and Regional Development and Ministry of Economics. There were also

representatives of local governments involved in the working group. On 3 November 2015,

the Cabinet approved the Action Plan for Moving and Acceptance in Latvia of Persons

Requiring International Protection that was developed by the working group32.

The Action Plan33 provides for several measures that will facilitate integration of asylum-

seekers, refugees and persons that have received alternative protection status in the labour

market. Social and economic inclusion by means of employment will be available as of the

moment of obtaining the international protection status, which includes:

granting the status of unemployed/job-seeker according to the Unemployed Persons

and Persons Seeking Employment Law ;

client profiling;

development of individual job-seeking plan;

career consultations;

cooperation with the employer;

cooperation with a social mentor;

offering active labour market policy measures suitable for the client;

32 Action Plan for Moving and Acceptance in Latvia of Persons Requiring International Protection (draft) Available at http://tap.mk.gov.lv/lv/mk/tap/?pid=40370331&mode=mk&date=2015-11-03 [researched on 04.11.2015] 33 The Action Plan includes three directions of action: selection and moving of persons, acceptance and accommodation of asylum-seekers as well as social and economic inclusion measures.


23

learning the official language;

activities for increasing competitiveness;

subsidised job;

training with the employer;

participation in paid temporary public works.

A new example of practice may be mentioned that based on collaboration agreement

regarding performance of individual tasks of state administration for integration of third

country nationals entered into by and between the Ministry of Culture and the society "Shelter

"Safe House"" on 17 September 2015, as of 1 October this year the society has started

providing for the support measures for integration of third country nationals, including

refugees and persons having alternative status. It is foreseen that by 14 February 2016

"Shelter "Safe House"" will provide information and regular consultations to third country

nationals and their family members about the topical integration issues (education,

employment, healthcare, etc.).34

SECTION 3: SUPPORT MEASURES TO ACCESS THE LABOUR MARKET

34 "Shelter "Safe House"" is starting implementing the delegated state administration task for integration of third country nationals, http://www.patverums-dm.lv/lv/patverums-drosa-maja-uzsak-istenot-valsts-parvaldes-delegeto-uzdevumu-treso-valstu-pilsonu-integracijai/687, [viewed on 05.10.2015.]


24

Language courses

Q6. In relation to language courses, please explain the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

Third - country nationals may work in Latvia in a large portion of professions only if they

have mastered Latvian to a certain level. The level of Latvian fluency required for the labour

market depends on the employment of the person in governmental or private sector as well

as the status of the profession, i.e. whether it is regulated or unregulated one. A regulated

profession means that particular professional qualification requirements have been set forth

for it on national or international level. No such requirements are set forth for unregulated

professions. The level of Latvian fluency required for performance of professional and office

duties of employees of governmental and local government institutions, courts and

institutions belonging to the judicial system, governmental and local government companies

as well as those commercial companies, the majority of equity is owned by the state or local

government, is determined by the state. The level and degree of Latvian fluency required

for performance of professional or office duties of employees of private institutions,

organisations and companies is determined by the employer. However, if the work of the

employee involves performance of certain public functions or affects lawful public interests

then Latvian fluency may be required for the performance of the respective work, where the

required level of knowledge and skills is determined by the Cabinet Regulation No. 73335.

The state is not offering refugees and persons having alternative status specially tailored,

state funded regular Latvian learning programmes. The allowance for learning the official

language of EUR 49.80 per month is available for persons having refugee status or persons

that have been granted alternative status for 12 or 9 months respectively. According to the

Asylum Law 36, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs is transferring the allowance

for learning the official language for refugees and persons having alternative status to the

account of that authority or institution where the person is learning the official language and

which is providing for learning the official language within a licenced programme, based on

the invoice and the information about the attendance of lessons. This is the only support for

learning Latvian provided for by the state on a regular basis.

According to the Cabinet Regulation No. 21037 the Office of Citizenship and Migration

Affairs may adopt the resolution to suspend paying the allowance for learning the official

language if the person:

- has learned the official language on the first official language fluency level and has

received a document confirming it;

- has failed to attend at least half of the lessons for which the Office has transferred the

allowance do to unjustified reasons;

- has lost the refugee or alternative status;

35 Cabinet Regulation No. 733 of 7 July 2009 “Regulations regarding the Amount of the Knowledge of the Official Language and the Procedures for Examination of the Knowledge of the Official Language for the Performance of Professional Duties and Duties of Office, Receipt of the Permanent Residence Permit and Obtaining of the Status of a Long-term Resident of the European Union and the State Fee for Examination of the Fluency in the Official Language”, The Latvian Herald, No. 110 (4096), 14.07.2009. 36 Asylum Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 100 (4086), 30.06.2009 - [came into force on 14.07.2009] 37 Cabinet Regulation No. 210 of 22 April 2014 “Regulations regarding the allowance for the refugee and the person that has been granted alternative status”, The Latvian Herald, No. 80 (5140), 24.04.2014.


25

- has died or announced dead by a court judgment;

- is earning income exceeding the minimum monthly salary set forth in the country;

- has provided untrue information in the declaration of means of subsistence.

By using the support from the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

and European Refugee Fund, the State Employment Agency, Latvian Language Agency,

local government of Riga as well as non-governmental organisations are organising Latvian

language courses, the target group of which are third - country nationals in general,

including non-citizens of Latvia. Such courses are not regular and they take place when

funding is available. Thus, the available Latvian language courses are not particularly

tailored for the needs of refugees and persons having alternative status. Moreover,

specialists of the involved institutions and organisations are not receiving regular training

particularly for working with the refugees and persons having alternative status.

With respect to the language course tutors, the summarised information demonstrates that

the majority of tutors have experience in working with adults. In selection of teachers, the

language course organisers are paying attention to their experience in both language

training and adult education. Individual organisations are imposing criteria for selection of

teachers regarding former work experience with third - country nationals and knowledge of

foreign language: Russian and English. No additional training is provided for working with

the refugees and persons having alternative status, but seminars, learning aids,

psychological and methodological consultations on working with the particular target group,

third - country nationals, may be offered.38

Additional opportunities for free Latvian language courses available to refugees and

persons having alternative status are as follows:

I Refugees and persons having alternative status that have registered as job-seekers,

unemployed or persons subject to risk of unemployment with the State Employment

Agency (the SEA) may participate in the Latvian language courses of SEA, the purpose of

which is increasing competitiveness of persons in the labour market and providing for the

ability to adjust to changing labour market requirements:

1) the following official language programmes are implemented within the activity

“Acquiring informal education” for unemployed and job-seekers, the skills of which do

not meet the changing labour market requirements or such skills are insufficient and it

is difficult to find a job due to this reason:

Official language according to the basic official language fluency level (150

hours)

Official language according to the medium official language fluency level

(150 hours)

38 Study Portrait of Third - Country Nationals in Latvia, Society Integration Foundation, 2015, pages 65 – 67.


26

Official language according to the highest official language fluency level (150

hours)

Official language according to the basic official language fluency level (with

English as principal language) (150 hours);

2) the following official language programmes are implemented for unemployed, job-

seekers and persons subject to risk of unemployment within the activity “Activities for

increasing competitiveness”:

Developing the official language skills (36 hours)

Removing the psychological barrier for people of other nationalities upon

learning the official language (16 hours)

In the activity “Acquiring informal education”’ the SEA is implementing training by using the

coupon method when the unemployed and job-seekers are receiving a coupon for the

selected informal education programme in a queue according to the date of registration of

the wish in the SEA database. The following principal conditions are taken into account

upon implementing training by using the coupon method:

basic social and professional skills where it is required to perform training of

unemployed and job-seekers according to the labour market demand and forecasts for

development of national economy sectors, which is determined by a commission

established by the Minister of Welfare;

there is an opportunity for the unemployed and job-seeker to receive a training coupon

and involve in mastering the informal education programme, and receive a document

certifying acquired knowledge after passing the tests;

a grant in the amount of EUR 99.60 per calendar month is provided for unemployed

during the training.

II Latvian Language Agency (a direct administration institution supervised by the Ministry

of Education and Science), with the co-funding from the European Fund for the Integration

of Third-Country Nationals, has implemented the projects “Support for third - country

nationals before entry and during the adaptation period” (from 28 December 2013 to 30

June 2014) and “Support for third - country nationals before entry and during the adaptation

period 2” (from 5 December 2014 to 30 June 2015), the purpose of which is developing and

organising quality adaptation programmes and measures for third - country nationals to

provide for comprehensive access to services and stimulate to participate in social life as

well as promote positive attitude of accepting public towards the different39. Learning

Latvian was implemented according to the language fluency level B1 and B2. There were

120-hour courses for learning the language and integration and 120-hour courses for

mastering knowledge and skills required for naturalization held within the project, the portal

for third - country nationals www.sazinastilts.lv established in 2012 was supplemented with

information and study, and methodological materials. Now there are texts for improving

reading skills and interactive exercises for mastering language fluency levels C1 and C2

available on the portal, and thereby a set of reading skill mastering and improvement texts

39 Project “Support for third country nationals before entry and during the adaptation period”, http://www.valoda.lv/Starpkulturu_projekti/Projekts_Atbalsts_treso_valstu_pilsoniem_pirms_iecelosanas_un_adaptacijas_perioda/1304/mid_529,[ viewed on 09.10.2015.]


27

is available for all language fluency levels. The texts have been arranged by subject and

not only they facilitate learning Latvian, but also allow getting to know history, geography,

culture, everyday life of Latvia as well as activities and achievements of publically renowned

people. A portion of exercises may be used for self-testing language skills and self-training.

During the implemented project, teachers working with third - country nationals were

educated and methodological support was provided to them40. Portal www.sazinastilts.lv is

a public website for mastering Latvian; therefore, it is equally available to refugees and

persons having alternative status and third - country nationals both when in Latvia and when

staying in another country.

III Since 2011 the local government of Riga has been organising free Latvian language

courses that may be attended by adults who have declared their place of residence in Riga,

except unemployed. A certification regarding the declared residential address must be filed

to attend the courses. Language courses are available from level 0 to B2. Considering that

the local government is not gathering the information about the legal status of persons

attending courses in Latvia, it is not possible to determine how many of those attending

courses are persons having refugee or alternative status.

IV Since 2011 the society “Shelter “Safe House”“, during the periods when funding from

the European Refugee Fund for project implementation is available, is organising Latvian

language courses particularly for refugees and persons that have been granted alternative

status. Language training is organised for the beginner level. As noted by the experts of the

society, problems are caused to this target group by the fact that they have to primarily take

care for providing the family with dwelling and food, therefore insufficient time and effort is

devoted to learning the language. Experts of the society have acknowledged that if dwelling

issues and other issues related to basic needs are solved then learning Latvian is running

more successfully. The persons working with refugees and persons that have been granted

alternative status have teacher qualifications and experience in working with adults, but with

respect to the special needs of refugees and persons having alternative status they have

received instructions and advice only from the specialists of the society.

V Since 2010 the International Migration Organisation has started a project cycle “Safety

and tolerance – preconditions for successful integration of immigrants in Latvia” with the

support from the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, within which

Latvian language camps and regular Latvian lessons, events for getting to know Latvia have

been organised and consultations have been provided to women, third - country nationals,

who have moved to Latvia recently. Considering that the organisation is organising activities

with the support from the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, the

above events are not regular and are available to the target group only during the project

implementation.

VI Within the project “Open for the world, open for diversity” supported by the European

Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, the society Latvian Red Cross

organised free Latvian language courses and culture courses for third - country nationals in

Riga, Riga Region, Liepāja, Saldus, Ventspils and Daugavpils. During the period of project

implementation from December 2014 to June 2015 the persons involved had the

40 Implementation of the project “Support for third country nationals before entry and during the adaptation period 2” is being completed, http://www.valoda.lv/Aktualitates/Tiek_pabeigta_projekta_Atbalsts_treso_valstu_pilsoniem_pirms_iecelosanas_un_adaptacijas_perioda_2_istenosana/1534/mid_522, [viewed on 22.09.2015.]


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opportunity of participating in educational excursions, gaining first working experience in

Latvia, obtaining assistance from a support person in solving daily issues, receiving

educational materials regarding health, social security and care services, education and

participation in non-governmental organisations, participating in information events about

the process of naturalization and citizenship of Latvia, attending the support group for young

and nascent parents in Riga.41

41 LRC invites to apply for free Latvian language and culture courses, http://www.redcross.lv/lv/projekti/lsk-aicina-pieteikties-bezmaksas-latviesu-valodas-un-kulturas-kursiem/,[ viewed on 09.10.2015.]


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Orientation courses

Q7. In relation to orientation courses, please explain the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

Organising orientation courses for refugees and persons having alternative status on the

state level is not foreseen. However, implementation of such support measures is set forth

in legal acts for introduction of programmes funded by the European Union funds. According

to the conditions of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

programme 2013, along with learning the language, at the same time the opportunity had

to be provided to third - country nationals “to acquire knowledge about Latvian culture,

traditions, history, most topical social and economic issues, state administration system,

basic rights and other issues”42. Therefore, during implementation of the Fund programme

2013 in 2014 and 2015 the organisations that offered Latvian language courses within the

projects implemented also different integration measures, the content of which was

coordinated with the content of language training, thus strengthening both language fluency

and promoting inclusion of third - country nationals in Latvian society and environment.43

Consequently, nearly all organisations, the projects implemented by which are co-funded

by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, along with Latvian

language courses arranged also different activities for providing language practicing

opportunities and activities promoting social and cultural integration into the Latvian society

and cultural environment. Excursions were organised for language course participants to

both get to know the city where they live and to show the regions of Latvia, nature, most

important cultural monuments and sightseeing objects in Latvia. Visits to different

museums, exhibitions and open air events were organised as well, where it was possible to

come into the natural cultural and language environment of Latvia. Likewise, lectures,

seminars and activities of educational character were offered covering such subjects as

history, law, economics, politics and educational system of Latvia.44 In addition, language

tutors, upon planning the Latvian learning programme, were imposed a requirement to

thematically cover the issues allowing to get to know Latvian culture in the broadest sense

of the term: traditions, celebrations, lifestyle, environment, variety of languages and ethnic

groups, literature, folklore, art, etc.

As long as one of the problems that people attending language courses are facing is

insufficient possibility for practicing the language, the course organisers had paid special

attention to this aspect. For example, the National Integration Centre organised language

cafes – free form discussions in Latvian about different subjects: Riga, summer in Latvia,

market traditions, family celebrations, etc. Society “Shelter “Safe House”” organised events

called “Riču Raču” where it both provided information about topical issues and created free

discussion opportunities on different subjects. In its turn, the society Latvian Red Cross

42 Cabinet Regulation No. 292 of 9 June 2014 “Regulation regarding implementation of activities of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals programme 2013”. The Latvian Herald, 126 (5186), 01.07.2014. 43 Study Portrait of Third -Country Nationals in Latvia, Society Integration Foundation, 2015, page 59. 44 Study Portrait of Third -Country Nationals in Latvia, Society Integration Foundation, 2015, page 72.


30

organised creative evenings and workshops where practical activities were combined with

use of Latvian language.45

During project implementation, individual courses were available to refugees and persons

having alternative status in the society "Shelter "Safe House"" where skill perfection courses

were organised within the project of the European Refugee Fund providing information

about the healthcare system, social assistance system, employment and educational

system in Latvia.

According to the possibilities of each organisation, tutors may be trained in inter-cultural

issues and for working with third - country nationals, but not only particularly for working

with refugees and persons that have been granted alternative status.

Education

Q8. In relation to access to education, please describe the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

The state or local governments are not providing special support measures for refugees

and persons having alternative status to acquire higher education. Therefore the college

and higher education institution staff having contact with students is not specially trained for

working with persons that have obtained the status of refugee or alternative status.

Pursuant to Paragraph 7 of Section 3 of the Education Law46, a refugee and a person having

alternative status has the right to education. Third - country nationals that have valid

permanent or temporary residence permit are entitled to free basic education and

secondary education provided for by the state. The persons are paying for mastering higher

education programmes according to the agreement entered into with the respective

educational institution.

In the state and local governments’ basic education and secondary education institutions

education is acquired in Latvian or minority language. It is possible to acquire higher

education in Latvia in the state higher education institutions in Latvian and English, but in

private higher education institutions in Latvian, English and Russian. To join the higher

education institution in Latvia, a diploma of general secondary education or diploma of

professional secondary education is required. In individual study programmes, if the

diploma of secondary education has been acquired abroad, it is required to deliver such

document for expertise to the Academic Information Centre. Students may have to pass

entry tests to join the higher education institution. It is possible to acquire higher education

in Latvia in the academic higher education programme or professional higher education

programme. The academic higher education programmes are oriented at mastering

theoretical knowledge and application of such knowledge in research of various

phenomena. After mastering these programmes, the student acquires the Bachelor’s,

45 Study Portrait of Third- Country Nationals in Latvia, Society Integration Foundation, 2015, page 71. 46 Education Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 343/344, 17.11.1998. – [came into force on 01.06.1999]


31

Master’s or Doctoral scientific degree. Professional higher education programmes are

oriented at mastering practical professional skills. After mastering these programmes, the

student acquires the professional Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or the professional

qualification. It is possible to master academic programmes in Universities or higher

education institutions only. Professional study programmes may be mastered in colleges as

well.

Vocational education and training

Q9. In relation to vocational education and training47, please describe the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

There are no vocational training programmes developed on the state level for refugees and

persons having alternative status exactly.

Refugees and persons having alternative status that have been granted the status of

unemployed have the opportunity to receive the State Employment Agency (the SEA)

training coupon and involve in:

1) mastering professional further education programmes that provide the opportunity for

acquiring professional qualification. After mastering the respective programme, the

unemployed person passes the professional qualification exam. The unemployed person

that has passed the professional qualification exam is issued the professional qualification

certificate;

2) mastering professional improvement education programmes that provide the opportunity

for improving own professional expertise and mastering systematic professional knowledge

and skills relevant to changing requirements of labour market. The unemployed person that

has mastered to improvement programme is issued the professional improvement

education certificate.

Participation in mastering the professional further education and professional improvement

education programmes provided for by the SEA may be applied for by:

an unemployed person who has not previously acquired professional qualification;

an unemployed person whose earlier acquired professional qualification or professional

experience is not demanded in the labour market;

an unemployed person whose earlier acquired professional qualification does not meet

the requirements set forth for the respective profession, for example, the professional

improvement document (certificate) specified in legal acts that certifies the right to work

in the profession acquired earlier has not been received;

47 Vocational education and training aims to equip people with knowledge, know-how, skills and/or competences required in particular occupations or more broadly on the labour market.


32

an unemployed person who has lost professional skills because of not working in the

acquired profession for at least three years or cannot continue employment in the

acquired profession due to the state of health.

Upon implementing training with a coupon method, the following principal conditions are

considered:

Fields of training and professions where it is required to perform training of unemployed

and job-seekers according to the labour market demand and forecasts for development

of national economy sectors, are determined by a commission established by the

Ministry of Welfare. The unemployed person has the opportunity to choose educational

programme from the list of fields of training and professions approved by the Ministry

of Welfare and the educational institution.

Unemployed persons have the opportunity to choose professional further education or

professional improvement education programme from the list of professional further

education programmes or the list of professional improvement education programmes

offered by the SEA or to choose the educational institution independently.

A coupon for payment for the chosen educational programme is issued to the

unemployed person.

It is possible for a disabled unemployed person to master certain professional

education programmes by means of electronic learning.

Duration of training up to 8 months.

During the training, the unemployed persons are paid a grant in the amount of EUR

99.60 per calendar month.

So far, not a single refugee or person having alternative status has used the opportunity of

mastering the professional education programmes offered by the SEA. It is often related to

the fact that educational programmes are offered in Latvian and language fluency of

refugees and persons having alternative status even after completion of Latvian language

courses are not on the level to enable mastering other educational programmes. Therefore,

no training has been provided to the SEA staff so far regarding working with refugees and

persons having alternative status.

To facilitate inclusion of refugees in the labour market, in 2013 the society “Shelter “Safe

House”” implemented the project “Increasing professional skills for facilitation of

employment of asylum seekers, refugees and persons having alternative status” with the

support from the European Refugee Fund. Within the project, 9 participants were offered

services of the career consultant, theoretical and practical mastering of various professional

qualification courses for four months by acquiring skills in the selected profession: finishing

works and refurbishment of premises, nail care, hairdresser, cook, organisation of cleaning

of premises, florist. However, due to different circumstances, training was completed by 8

participants and, unfortunately, none of the participants of training is currently working in

the acquired profession.


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Procedures for the recognition of qualifications

Q10. In relation to procedures for the identification and recognition of qualifications, please describe the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

Refugees and persons having alternative status, just as third - country nationals legally

residing in Latvia, are entitled to independently work in the profession that is regulated in

Latvia48. Recognition of professional qualification acquired abroad is performed by the

Academic Information Centre, which is a state administration institution and since 1995 it

is representing Latvia in ENIC/NARIC networks. Since 2003 the Academic Information

Centre is the institution for information regarding recognising the professional qualification

acquired abroad in regulated professions (except the field of transport) and it is providing

for academic recognition of documents confirming education acquired abroad on the

national level. The Academic Information Centre is providing advice to foreign nationals

about the required academic and professional requirements and qualifications to enable

working in the regulated professions. (Provides foreign citizens with information on

academic and professional requirements for education and professional qualifications in the

field of regulated professions; accepts applications for the acquisition of qualification

recognition certificates to take up activities in regulated professions.)

To recognise professional qualification, a person must deliver to the Academic Information

Centre the documents certifying academic and professional qualification, including a

certification from the competent institutions of the country of residence regarding the right

to work in the profession in the country of residence, and doctors, veterinaries, pharmacists,

nurses, maternity nurses, dentists and architects - a certification from the competent

institutions of the country of residence regarding good standing and absence of disciplinary

violations (such certification shall not be older than three months). There is an additional

condition that the documents require translation into Latvian. Moreover, documents that

have been issued outside the European Union (except in Belarus, Kirgizstan, Russia,

Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) must be legalised in Latvia. Recognition of professional

qualification must be performed also if the person is planning to provide only temporary

services (of limited duration, frequency and amount) in Latvia. The charge for recognition

of professional qualification acquired abroad is EUR 56, 90 for everybody.

The procedure of recognition of professional qualification is as follows:

1. Academic Information Centre accepts the documents, prepares its assessment and

sends a certification to the institution that is issuing the professional qualification

recognition certificate in the particular profession.

48 Regulated profession — professional activity or the aggregate of professional activities regulated in the Republic of Latvia in the professions specified in this Law as well as such professional activity or the aggregate of professional activities regulated in other European Union Member States and European Free Trade Association Member States, for commencement and performance of which the legal acts of the respective country are imposing the requirement of relevant professional qualification. Law on Regulated Professions and Recognition of Professional Qualification.


34

2. The institution that is issuing the professional qualification recognition certificate adopts

the resolution regarding recognition of professional qualification, partial recognition or

non-recognition.

3. The final decision must be made within 3 months (for doctors, veterinaries,

pharmacists, nurses, maternity nurses, dentists and architects from the EU) or within 4

months (for others) after delivery of all documents to the Centre.

Whereas if the person wants to continue acquiring education in Latvia or work in the

unregulated profession then academic recognition of documents confirming education

acquired abroad must be performed. Education documents must be filed with the Academic

Information Centre for expertise, if such is required by the educational institution or the

employer. For the purpose of performance of the procedure, the person must present the

original education document and the achievement excerpt. If required, employees of the

Centre may require legalisation of documents and translating those into Latvia as well. If

the document has been issued in the country that is not part to the ENIC/NARIC network

then its legalisation in the procedure set forth by the Document Legalisation Law is

mandatory.

Academic recognition procedure means that the Academic Information Centre performs

expertise of the education document whereby it clarifies the status of the educational

institution in the former country of residence of the person and the level of mastered

programme. The Centre issue a certification what education document issued in Latvia (if

any) the foreign education document may be equalised to. Maximum term for reviewing the

documents is four months. The Centre shall deliver the certification to the educational

institution of Latvia or to the employer. Based on the above certification, the decision

regarding recognition of the education document is made by the higher education institution,

if the person wants to continue acquiring higher education, or the employer, if the person

wants to work in the unregulated profession. The charge for academic recognition of the

education document acquired abroad is EUR 41 for everybody.

The Academic Information Centre staff is not specially trained for working and

communicating with refugees and persons that have been granted alternative status.

Activities of the Academic Information Centre also do not provide for preferential conditions

or recognition criteria for refugees and persons having alternative status. The attitude

towards all clients of the Academic Information Centre and the procedural activities are

similar.

Considering that the Academic Information Centre is not summarising statistics about how

many refugees and persons having alternative status are among the clients of the Centre,

it is not possible to identify any obstacles that the refugees and persons having alternative

status would meet upon performing the professional qualification recognition procedure.

However, taking into account the opinion of experts involved in the procedure, it is

acknowledged that problems may occur for persons that have obtained international

protection with presenting the original documents certifying education and work experience

of the person, because there are instances when persons do not have even personal

identification documents with them. It should also be considered that communication with


35

institutions of the country of origin or former employers may cause additional problems to

refugees and persons having alternative status and compromise their safety.

Counselling services

Q11. In relation to counselling services, please describe the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

It is not set forth in legal regulation the counselling should be provided to refugees and

persons having alternative status to facilitate access of such persons to labour market.

Therefore, the most substantial problem that the refugees and persons having alternative

status are facing is availability of such counselling. Individual consultations are offered by

the State Employment Agency, the society “Shelter “Safe House”” and Social Service of

Riga City Council. The type and content of consultations is no different from consultations

available to third - country nationals legally residing in Latvia.

The State Employment Agency (the SEA) is providing individual career consultations and

group career consultations, the purpose of which is providing support in resolving

professional suitability, requalification and career planning issues to unemployed, job-

seekers and other persons subject to risk of unemployment according to the Support for

Unemployed Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law49. During the career

consultations professional suitability, training ability assessment prior to involvement in

courses and requalification activities are determined. The task of the career consultant

includes also providing psychological support and educating the client in career selection

and planning issues. As observed by the SEA employees, good results are provided by

cooperation of the employment agent and the career consultant. The career consultant is

providing to the client not only assistance in defining the priority measures, but also support

in resolving issues related to employment, is motivating the client to start learning the official

language as soon as possible, which is the most important condition for successful

integration in labour market. The career consultant is providing the required support in

drafting CV according to the requirements of labour market of Latvia and a particular

employer, in communication with the employer, etc.

Emotional support and psychological assistance are very important for the clients having

refugee or alternative status; psychologist counselling is provided, if required. Whereas no

special training has been held for the SEA employees that come into contact with refugees

and persons having alternative status for working with the clients of this target group, but

special methodology is available to them.

Section 9 of the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance50 sets forth that the local

government has a duty to provide the residents of its territory with a possibility to receive

49 Support for Unemployed Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 80 (2655), 29.05.2002. – [came into force on 01.07.2002] 50 Law on Social Services and Social Assistance – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002- [came into force on 01.01.2003]


36

social services and social assistance corresponding to the needs of the person. In the

Social Service of Riga City Council the persons having refugee or alternative status, the

declared place of residence of which is in Riga, can receive free social worker counselling

for resolving various social problems. The social worker mainly informs about the

possibilities to receive support and services in the respective local government territory

possibly close to the place of residence of the client. Likewise, the client can receive social

benefits or services provided by the local government only based on the assessment of

individual needs and resources performed by the social worker. So far, no training has been

held in the local government of Riga for the staff working with refugees and persons having

alternative status.

Since 2008, within the projects of the European Refugee Fund, the society “Shelter “Safe

House”” is providing counselling for refugees and persons having alternative status on

employment issues. There is a lawyer operating in the society, who specialises in the

employment issues. As noted by the experts of the society, the principal problem is the

language of communication because not all clients of the society understand and speak

Russian, English or Latvian. Considering that services of the interpreter are expensive, the

society cannot afford such. The society is providing the same counselling to third - country

nationals that are coming for assistance.

It may be noted as an example of new practice that since 1 October 2015 the society

"Shelter "Safe House"", based on the collaboration agreement with the Ministry of Culture,

for the funding from state budget, is providing for free counselling of third - country nationals

and their family members, including refugees and persons having alternative status.

Access to housing

Q12. In relation to access to housing51, please describe whether refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection are entitled to receive help from the government with regard to access to housing, and how it is implemented in practice. Please describe the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

The state is providing for the benefit for refugees and persons having alternative status to

cover residence costs. According to the Asylum Law, if the refugee does not have other

source of living, for the first 12 months after obtaining the refugee status he/she shall receive

a benefit that covers residence costs. Whereas if the person that has been granted

alternative status does not have other source of living, he/she shall receive the above

benefit for the first 9 months after obtaining the status. If the person having alternative status

that has received the benefit to cover residence costs is granted the status of refugee,

he/she is entitled to receive the benefits as a refugee for the period, which, together with

the period of benefit paid earlier, does not exceed 12 months. The amount and procedure

51 Support measures for access to housing include those measures that facilitate finding accommodation for those who cannot find it themselves. This could include social housing, state funded housing in the private sector, provision of financial resources to access housing etc.


37

of granting the benefit paid to the refugees and persons having alternative status is

determined by the Cabinet. The current amount of benefit to cover residence costs is EUR

256.12 per month.

According to the Cabinet Regulation52 both refugees and persons having alternative status

are obliged to inform the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within five business days

after they have entered into the employment agreement for an indefinite period or for a

definite period, if its term exceeds two months, or if they have started economic activity or

have gained other income, if its amount exceeds the minimum monthly salary set forth in

the country. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs may adopt the resolution on

stopping paying the residence benefit if the person has died or announced dead by a court

judgment; is earning income exceeding the minimum monthly salary set forth in the country;

has been convicted for committing criminal offence and is serving imprisonment; has

provided untrue information in the declaration of means of subsistence or has lost the

refugee or alternative status.

As noted in the study performed by the UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern

Europe in 2015, the information learned during the interviews with governmental institution

experts’ evidences that refugees have problems with finding suitable dwelling and it is

common that looking for dwelling takes several months. Until looking for the place to live,

the refugees are allowed to temporary stay in the ASAC Mucenieki, if they pay the fixed

rent.53

Refugees and persons that have been granted alternative status have the right to purchase

or rent real property without additional restrictions, like the ones applicable to agricultural

and forest land, border and borderland zones. No additional benefits are granted to

refugees and persons having alternative status to cover the costs related to dwelling. If the

person does not have additional savings or income, the costs of dwelling must be paid from

the benefit for covering the residence costs granted by the state (EUR 256.12 per month)

that the refugee is receiving for 12 months and the person having alternative status for 9

months.

Notwithstanding whether the person has purchased the dwelling or is renting it, he/she is

obliged to declare his/her place of residence in the respective local government within one

month after moving into the place of residence. Declaration with the local government is the

main precondition to get access to services provided by the local government, including the

support in housing issues that is provided to the unaccompanied minors or orphans and

refugees on the same conditions as to the other residents in the respective local government

territory. For example, in Riga local government the housing benefit is calculated individually

in each case based on the financial situation of the person or family. While in Ropaži

Municipality the housing benefit for one person is determined in the amount of EUR 45 and

during the heating season families may receive monthly benefit of EUR 57.54 Housing

benefit provided by local governments as well as social assistance and services granted by

52 22 April 2014 Cabinet Regulation regarding the benefit for a refugee and a person that has been granted alternative status, The Latvian Herald 80 (5140), 24.04.2014. 53 UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf 54 UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf


38

the state, including the social apartment or dwelling are not available to persons that have

been granted alternative status and have been issued temporary residence permit.

According to the Law on Social Apartments and Social Residential Houses55 refugees and

persons having alternative status that are socially in need (the local government has

granted the status of needy) or socially less protected are entitled to rent the social

apartment from the local government if one of the three conditions is true: 1) a court

judgment regarding eviction from the residential premises has entered into force; 2) the

person is renting an apartment owned by the local government and has expressed the wish

of renting the social apartment; 3) the person is an orphan and has no residential space.

However, lack of social apartments is evident in Latvia and as the result, if the refugee may

be considered as socially in need or socially less protected person, he/she will nevertheless

face difficulties in getting the social apartment because there are long queues to such

apartments and people have to wait for years. The available information demonstrated that

Ropaži Municipality has provided the social apartment to one person having the status of

refugee.

Night homes and homes are available in the local governments to refugees and persons

that have been granted alternative status if they do not have their own dwelling. It is allowed

to stay in night homes only during the night, but one can spend whole day in homes in the

person has objective reasons for staying there for the entire day, for example, health

problems. Food, bedclothes, shower, laundry as well as the opportunity to receive

consultation from a social worker are available in both types of homes. Staying in such type

of homes is not envisaged for unaccompanied minors and families with children. In such

situation, they would be moved to the crisis centre.56 So far, Ropaži Municipality has granted

the right to rent the social apartment to a refugee only once, but the person is not residing

in Latvia anymore.

Since 2008, the society “Shelter “Safe House”” has provided support in housing issues

within the projects of the European Refugee Fund. Specialists of the society are informing

refugees and persons having alternative status about the situation in Latvia, that the client

must find the dwelling himself because the local government or the state is not providing

housing as well as they participate in the process of seeking housing. Mainly the clients are

shown where they can receive information about dwellings and the risks existing when

entering into the rent agreement are pointed out. Specialists of the society note the lack of

language of communication as the principal shortcoming. During the operation of the

European Refugee Fund project, the society has paid the residence rent costs for the

refugees.

Guaranteed minimum resources

55 Law on Social Apartments and Social Residential Houses – The Latvian Herald, No. 169 (884), 02.07.1997- [came into force on 16.07.1997] 56 UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf


39

Q13. In relation to guaranteed minimum resources57, please describe the organisation and implementation of the support measure, including the procedure to access the support measure, specifying any obstacles experienced. Please also identify any good practices in relation to this support measure.

According to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance58, social services and social

assistance guaranteed by the state (for example, social support and rehabilitation, material

benefit for low-income persons, etc.) are not available to third - country nationals having

temporary residence permit (including persons having alternative status). Social services

and social assistance is available to full extent to third - country nationals having permanent

residence permit (including persons having refugee status). Social services and social

assistance in Latvia are provided for by that local government, in the territory of which the

particular person is registered.

Latvian social protection system is partially available to persons that have been granted

alternative status. Pursuant to Section 4 of the Law on State Social Allowances59, those

state benefits that the state is paying to the person irrespective the amount of social

insurance contributions as well as social services, social assistance are not available to

these persons. According to the Law on State Social Allowances, the following allowances

granted by the state are not available to foreigners holding temporary residence permit: (1)

State family allowance, (2) childcare benefit, (3) childbirth allowance, (4) guardian’s

allowance for a dependent child, (5) remuneration for the fulfilment of a guardian’s duties,

(6) State social security benefit, (7) care of disabled child benefit, (8) allowance for a

disabled person for whom care is necessary, (9) allowance for the compensation of

transport expenses for disabled persons who have difficulties in movement.

Benefits that depend on the social insurance contributions paid by the foreigner are partially

available to foreigners that are legally employed in Latvia. According to the Law on State

Social Insurance60 and the Law on Maternity and Sickness Insurance61, the following

benefits are available to foreigners that are employees: (1) sickness benefit, (2) maternity

benefit and paternity benefit, (3) parental benefit, (3) compensation for loss of the supporter,

(4) disability benefit, (5) compensation for the accident at work, (6) unemployment benefit.

Benefit to provide for the guaranteed minimum level of income is available to persons

having refugee status. According to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, the

benefit to provide for the guaranteed minimum level of income is a monetary and material

benefit or a monetary or material benefit that is granted to families or individually residing

persons, who are not getting sufficient income due to objective reasons and who have been

recognised as needy. According to the Cabinet Regulation No. 29962, a family (person) shall

be recognised as needy if its average monthly income during the last three months does

not exceed EUR 128.06 and if 1) it does not own monetary accumulations, securities or

property; 2) it has not entered into a maintenance contract; 3) it has not entered into a

57 Refers to benefits provided to people with insufficient resources. It includes support for destitute and vulnerable persons to help alleviate poverty or assist in difficult situations (Source: ESSPROS Manual, 2008 Edition, Eurostat). 58 Law on Social Services and Social Assistance. – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002- [came into force on 01.01.2003] 59 Law on State Social Allowances – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002. – [came into force on 01/01/2003.] 60 Law on State Social Insurance – The Latvian Herald, No. 274/276, 27.11.1997. – [entered into force on 01.01.1998] 61 Law on Maternity and Sickness Insurance The Latvian Herald, No. 182 (465), 23.11.1995. – [came into force on 01.01.1997] 62 Cabinet Regulation No. 299 of 30 March 2010 “Regulations Regarding the Recognition of a Family or Person Living Separately as Needy”, The Latvian Herald, No.51/52 (4243/4244), 31.03.2010.


40

maintenance contract; 4) the person has registered with the State Employment Agency as

an unemployed person. This benefit provides for the guaranteed minimum level of income

for each family member.

To apply for the benefit to provide for the guaranteed minimum level of income, the person

must provide to the respective local government the information about the income during

the previous three months or present a confirmation regarding the status of unemployed.

The amount of financial support has been determined according to the binding regulations

on the local government level. For example, the amount of benefit set forth in Ropaži

Municipality is EUR 50 per month per person, but for an unaccompanied minor it is EUR

60. Whereas in Riga local government the amount of benefit is EUR 56.91 per month and

for an unaccompanied minor it is EUR 64.03. The available information suggests that

Ropaži Municipality is paying the benefit to provide for the guaranteed minimum level of

income to one person who has a refugee status. Employees of Riga local government

confirm that refugees have received the above benefit, but no individual details about

benefit recipients according to the status of the person are summarised.

SECTION 4: LABOUR MARKET PARTICIPATION

Q35. Please complete the table below concerning the number of refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection that are employed/unemployed/inactive. Please provide the stock: i.e. the total number on 31 December of every year. If the exact data are not available, an indicative percentage or number can be provided in Italic.


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Table 3 Statistics on labour market participation

Refugees Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection Beneficiaries of humanitarian protection

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Total number granted protection63 7 9 10 14 3 18 18 22 21 21 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Total number of beneficiaries of international/humanitarian protection residing in the Latvia n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Total number employed (including self-employment)64 0 0 2 3 3 0 0 0 1 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Total number overqualified in their position n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Total number unemployed65, 66 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 8 4 3 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Total number of inactive persons67 n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Q36. Drawing on available research on employment/unemployment (or if not available, indications from relevant stakeholders) please indicate the sector/industry and the type of work which beneficiaries mainly successfully secure jobs in in Latvia. Please

63 Source of data: Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs 64 The specified data relate to the number of self-employed persons because no information is available about the total number of employed. Source of data: State Revenue Service. 65 Also referred to as job-seekers in certain Member States. 66 Source of data: State Employment Agency 67 “Inactive persons” are those who are not in the labour force so are neither classified as employed nor as unemployed. This category therefore does not include job- seekers. (Source: Eurostat)


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provide several examples and make sure to indicate in your answer whether refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection are often overqualified in their position and provide, if possible, evidence

Such information is not available.


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SECTION 5: CONCLUSIONS

Q37. Please summarise Latvia’s policy on access to employment, indicating any

practical obstacles for the target group of this Study (refugees, beneficiaries of

subsidiary and humanitarian protection)

Upon granting the refugee status to a person, legal regulation of Latvia provides for issuing

the permanent residence permit, the term of validity of which is 5 years. Whereas upon

granting alternative status, the person is issued a temporary residence permit for 1 year.

The issued residence permits provide both groups of persons with unrestricted right to

employment in Latvia. It means that the person is entitled to work for any employee in Latvia.

In the residence permits of persons, this is confirmed by the record “Entitled to work without

restrictions”.

In the assessment of experts interviewed within the study, the determining factors that limit

job finding possibilities of refugees and persons having alternative status and thereby

prolong the adaptation period are not speaking the official language, low level of education,

lack of professional qualification or low level of professional qualification, high alert level

and difficulties in meeting basic needs (dwelling, health, overall material situation).

Q38. Please summarise Latvia’s policy on facilitating labour market integration,

reviewing to what extent employment-related support measures can and are being

accessed by refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection

and to what extent they facilitate their access to the labour market.

The most available support measure for refugees and persons that have been granted

alternative status is Latvian language courses. Persons can pay for the Latvian language

courses upon receipt of the benefit for learning the official language guaranteed by the state

in the amount of EUR 49.80 per month. This benefit is available to refugees for the first 12

months after granting the status and for the persons that have been granted alternative

status – for 9 months. Based on the received invoice, the Office of Citizenship and Migration

Affairs shall transfer the benefit for learning the official language to the account of that

authority or institution where the person is learning the official language.

Free Latvian language courses are offered by the Latvian Language Agency, Riga local

government, society “Shelter “Safe House””, International Migration Organisation, society

Latvian Red Cross and other organisations that are organising courses by using funding

from the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and European

Refugee Fund. A minus of these courses is that they are not regular as they are held only

during implementation of projects. When funding is not available, courses organised by

these institutions and societies are not available as well.

Individual Latvian language courses within the state budget, with the co-funding from the

European refugee Fund, are offered by the State Employment Agency. However, they may

be attended only by those persons who, after registration with the Agency, have been

granted the job-seeker or unemployed status.

Active employment measures and preventive unemployment minimisation measures

organised by the State Employment Agency, for example, practical training at the employer,

competiveness increasing measures, acquiring informal education by utilising the coupon

method, professional further education and professional improvement education


44

programmes, paid public works, measures for staring commercial activity or self-

employment are available to the job-seekers and unemployed. So far, the number of clients

of the Agency that have been granted refugee or alternative status is very small, it does not

exceed 10 persons per annum. It is largely affected by lack of official language fluency on

the level required to effectively use the offered opportunities of participating in employment

facilitation measures implemented by the Agency. According to the statistical data, in 2014,

5 of 9 registered unemployed persons having refugee or alternative status have found job

after participation in the measures of the Agency.

Q39. Please summarise Latvia’s policy on the availability of tailored support

measures to access the labour market that are available to refugees and beneficiaries

of subsidiary and humanitarian protection as opposed to legally residing third-

country nationals in general

If there is no other source for living, the state is paying a benefit to refugees and persons

that have been granted alternative status for the first 12 or 9 months respectively, which

currently is EUR 256.12 per month. The above benefit is the only benefit guaranteed by the

state that is intended for covering the residence expenses of the person, including for

dwelling, healthcare and education, if required. Additionally, a benefit for learning the official

language of EUR 49.80 per month is available for the first 12 or 9 months.

Whereas along with refugees and persons that have been granted alternative status there

are particular groups of third - country nationals specified that are entitled to receive the

status of unemployed or job-seeker, for example, performers of scientific activities in Latvia,

victims of human trafficking and third - country nationals that have obtained the right to work

for any employee (i.e. the right to unrestricted employment) upon receiving the residence

permit and other groups pursuant to Part 2 of Section 2 of the Support for Unemployed

Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law.

According to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, social services and social

assistance guaranteed by the state (for example, social support and rehabilitation, material

benefit for low-income persons, etc.) are not available to third - country nationals having

temporary residence permit (including persons having alternative status). Social services

and social assistance is available to full extent to third - country nationals having permanent

residence permit (including persons having refugee status). Within the social assistance, a

benefit to provide for the guaranteed minimum level of income is available to persons having

refugee status.

Other measures to support integration in labour market are equally available to refugees

and persons having alternative status, and third - country nationals legally residing in Latvia.

Q40. Please summarise if and to what extent differences exist with regard to labour

market access between:

- Refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection on the one hand and

third-country nationals legally residing in your Member State territory on the other hand

- Refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and beneficiaries of humanitarian

protection

Upon issuing permanent or temporary residence permit respectively to refugees and

persons that have been granted alternative status, they automatically obtain the right to

work in Latvia without restrictions. Whereas there are only individual, particular groups


45

among third - country nationals, the residence permit of which provides for equal right to

employment, for example, a third - country national that has received permanent residence

permit, a third - country national that has received temporary residence permit by making

investment in the equity of capital company or a victim of human trafficking and other groups

of third - country nationals according to Part 5 of Section 9 of the Immigration Law.

No other substantial differences in access to labour market have been established.

Q41. Please summarise what you consider to be good practices (if any) in the

provision of labour market integration support measures in your national context.

In Latvia, persons that have been granted refugee or alternative status are fitting in into the

general context of policy for integration of third - country nationals. So far, considering the

small number of persons that have been granted international protection status in Latvia

(they are 122 persons from 2010 to 2014), it has not been necessary for the involved

governmental institutions to develop individual integration policy with respect to this target

group. The same integration measures are available to refugees and persons having

alternative status as to other third - country nationals that are legally residing in Latvia.

However, considering that the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council agreed

on moving 120,000 persons68 requiring international protection within a period of two years,

the issue regarding integration of asylum seekers, refugees and persons that have obtained

alternative status in Latvia has been brought up. On 3 November 2015, the Cabinet

approved the Action Plan for Moving and Acceptance in Latvia of Persons Requiring

International Protection, which provides for introduction of new integration support

measures for asylum seekers, refugees and persons having alternative status. Thus, when

summarising the information analysed within the study, it may be concluded that upon

increase of number of persons that may be granted refugee or alternative status in Latvia,

it will be necessary to develop and introduce new support measures coordinated by the

state for integration of such persons in both Latvian society and local labour market.

68 Between the EU Member States.


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SECTION 6: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO ENSURE COMPARABILITY

This section aims to collect additional detailed information that complements your answers as provided in previous sections, in order to ensure comparability. It includes tables on:

conditions to access the labour market

Eligibility for employment-related support measures for different categories of refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection

Authorities responsible for the provision of employment-related support measures

Conditions to access employment-related support measures

Statistics on access to employment-related support measures

Q42. With reference to Section 1 (Q3), please complete the following table on conditions to access the labour market by indicating yes/no to clarify if the condition applies, and, where appropriate, please briefly describe

Table 4 Conditions to access the labour market

Conditions/restrictions Applies to all TCNs in: 1) legislation? 2) practice?

Applies to Refugees in: 1) legislation? 2) practice?

Applies to beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in: 1) legislation? 2) practice?

Applies to persons granted humanitarian protection in: 1) legislation? 2) practice?

Comments

Possession of a residence permit Yes Yes Yes n/a

Possession of a work permit No No No n/a The right to employment is specified upon issue of the residence permit.

Do restrictions in time apply? (Duration) Yes Yes Yes n/a Duration corresponds to the term of validity of the residence permit.

Do restrictions to a specific employer apply?

Yes No No n/a

Do restrictions to a specific employment sector apply?

No No No n/a Except for the sectors where only citizens of Latvia may be employed.


47

Is preference to be given to nationals and EU citizens (in general or in relation to specific jobs, if so which?)

Yes Yes Yes n/a

Other? (add rows if applicable)

Q43. With reference to Section 3, please complete the following table on the eligibility of refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection to employment-related support measures. Indicate if they are eligible to access the support measure with yes/no

Table 5 Eligibility for employment-related support measures for the categories of refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection69

Refugee Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection

Persons granted humanitarian status

Comments

Education70 No No n/a The state is not providing for any support measures for acquiring higher education.

Language courses Yes Yes n/a

Orientation courses Yes Yes n/a Courses are held when funding from the EU funds is available.


Yes Yes n/a

Counselling Yes Yes n/a

Recognition of qualifications Yes Yes n/a

Guaranteed minimum resources Yes Yes n/a

69 This means access to all beneficiaries under the protection status.

70 Education as described under Q8: education with a specific focus on access to education that has a direct link to employment, for example, by providing support for the development of higher level (non-vocational) skills. Please do not report on education more generally. The focus is on education for those of employment age that might lead towards employment.


48

Housing support/access to social housing

Yes Yes n/a

Other (add rows if necessary)

Q 44. With reference to Section 3, please complete the table below setting out the authorities responsible for the provision of

employment-related support measures to refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection


49

Table 6 Authorities responsible (executive and financial) for the provision of employment-related support measures71

71 Please specify the authorities/organisations/institutions responsible. This can also include NGO’s. Note however that the table and the Study in general focus on government-related support measures, i.e. how the government organises itself to provide the support. NGO’s/third parties can be involved if outsourced by the government.

Employment-related

support measure

Authority that carries

executive

responsibility

Authority that carries financial

responsibility

Comments

Education Ministry of Education and

Science

Ministry of Education and Science

Language courses Ministry of Culture

Latvian Language

Agency

State Employment

Agency

Local governments

Ministry of Education and

Science

Ministry of Culture

Ministry of Welfare

Local governments

Office of Citizenship and Migration

Affairs

Additional free Latvian language courses are offered by non-governmental

organisations with the support of the European Refugee Fund and the European

Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs is responsible for granting the

benefit for learning the official language.

Orientation courses NGOs Ministry of Culture Courses are implemented by non-governmental organisations that have won the

project tenders for co-funding from the European Refugee Fund and the

European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals.

Vocational education

and training

State Employment

Agency

Ministry of Welfare The State Employment Agency is offering professional improvement courses for

unemployed, job-seekers and persons subject to risk of unemployment.

Counselling State Employment

Agency

Ministry of Welfare Experts from non-governmental organisations are providing free consultations,

within the project of the European Refugee Fund, to refugees and persons having

alternative status that have registered as unemployed or job-seekers.


50

Q45. With reference to Section 3, please complete the table below on conditions to access employment-related support measures for

refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary and humanitarian protection. Please indicate if the conditions apply by answering with yes/no.

Please also clarify if the conditions apply to: i) all TCNs legally residing on your Member State’s territory (“all TCNs”); ii) all beneficiaries

of international/humanitarian protection (“all ben”); or iii) specifically to refugees (“Ref”), beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (“SP”),

beneficiaries of humanitarian protection (“HP”)

Table 7 Conditions to access employment-related support measures

Education Language courses

Orientation courses


Counselling Recognition of qualifications

Guaranteed minimum resources

Housing Comments*

Having a residence permit

Yes (all TCNs, all ben)






Yes (all TCNs with permanent residence permit, Ref)

No (all TCNs, all ben)

Having a work permit

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a No individual work permit is issued. The right to employment is specified in the residence permit.

Having identity documents








Yes (all TCNs with permanent residence

Yes, with respect to housing – applies to granting the social apartment.

Recognition of

qualifications

Academic Information

Centre

State fee is paid by refugees and

persons having alternative status

from their own funds.

Guaranteed minimum

resources

Local governments Local governments

Housing Local governments Local governments If the refugee has received the status of needy person then he/she has the right

to request a social apartment.


51

permit, all Ref))

Having a domicile








Yes (all TCNs with permanent residence permit, all Ref)

Yes, with respect to housing – applies to granting the social apartment.

Language competency









Specific qualifications/diplomas required









Sufficient financial resources









Eligibility for loans

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Etc. (add rows if applicable)

* Please also indicate if conditions equally apply to all beneficiaries of international/humanitarian protection, all third-country nationals, nationals of the MS.


52

Q46. With reference to Section 3, please complete the table below concerning statistics on access to employment-related support measures

Table 8 Statistics in relation to accessing employment-related support measures

Refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and

humanitarian protection

Please specify to which groups the figures

refer to

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Total number of beneficiaries accessing education n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i -

Total number accessing language courses 4 2 32 45 3

State Employment Agency and “society

Shelter “Safe House”“

Total number accessing orientation courses 2 5 2 5 1 Information days of the SEA

Total number accessing vocational education and

training 0 0 0 9 0

Society “Shelter “Safe House”“

Total number making use of procedures for the

recognition of qualifications n/i n/i n/i n/i n/i

-

Total number provided minimum guaranteed

resources n/i n/i n/i n/i 1

Ropaži Municipality

Total number accessing counselling services n/i 10 22 16 24

Social Service of Riga City Council

Total number accessing housing 0 0 0 0 1 Ropaži Municipality


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LIST OF SOURCES AND LITERATURE

Sources

Regulatory enactments of Latvia

Law on Maternity and Sickness Insurance The Latvian Herald, No. 182 (465), 23.11.1995. – [came into force on 01.01.1997.]

Law on Social Apartments and Social Residential Houses – The Latvian Herald, No. 169 (884), 02.07.1997. - [came into force on 16.07.1997.]

Law on State Social Insurance – The Latvian Herald, No. 274/276, 27.11.1997. – [came into force on 01.01.1998.]

Education Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 343/344, 17.11.1998. – [came into force on 01.06.1999.]

Support for Unemployed Persons and Persons Seeking Employment Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 80 (2655), 29.05.2002. – [came into force on 01.07.2002]

Labour Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 105 (2492), 06.07.2001. – [came into force on 01.06.2002.]

Law on Social Services and Social Assistance. – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002- [came into force on 01.01.2003.]

Law on State Social Allowances – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002. – [came into force on 01.01.2003.]

Law on Social Services and Social Assistance. – The Latvian Herald, No. 168 (2743), 19.11.2002- [came into force on 01.01.2003.]

Immigration Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 169 (2744), 20.11.2002 - [came into force on 01.05.2003.]

Asylum Law – The Latvian Herald, No. 100 (4086), 30.06.2009 - [came into force on 14.07.2009.]

Cabinet Regulation No. 733 of 7 July 2009 “Regulations regarding the Amount of the Knowledge of the Official Language and the Procedures for Examination of the Knowledge of the Official Language for the Performance of Professional Duties and Duties of Office, Receipt of the Permanent Residence Permit and Obtaining of the Status of a Long-term Resident of the European Union and the State Fee for Examination of the Fluency in the Official Language”, The Latvian Herald, No. 110 (4096), 14.07.2009.

Cabinet Regulation No. 299 of 30 March 2010 “Regulations Regarding the Recognition of a Family or Person Living Separately as Needy”, The Latvian Herald, No.51/52 (4243/4244), 31.03.2010.

Cabinet Regulation No. 75 of 25 January 2011 “Regulations Regarding the Procedures for Organising and Financing of Active Employment Measures and Preventative Measures for Unemployment Reduction and Principles for Selection of Implementers of Measures”, The Latvian Herald, No. 21 (4419), 08.02.2011.

Cabinet Regulation No. 210 of 22 April 2014 “Regulations regarding the allowance for the refugee and the person that has been granted alternative status”, The Latvian Herald, No. 80 (5140), 24.04.2014.


54

Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 292 of 9 June 2014 “Regulation regarding implementation of activities of the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals programme 2013”. The Latvian Herald, 126 (5186), 01.07.2014.

Literature

Third - country nationals, available at: http://www.km.gov.lv/lv/nozares_info/integracija/treso_valstu_pilsoni.html, [viewed on 25.09.2015.]

Action Plan for Moving and Acceptance in Latvia of Persons Requiring International Protection (draft) Available at http://tap.mk.gov.lv/lv/mk/tap/?pid=40370331&mode=mk&date=2015-11-03 [viewed on 04.11.2015]

Shelter "Safe House"" is starting implementing the delegated state administration task for integration of third country nationals, http://www.patverums-dm.lv/lv/patverums-drosa-maja-uzsak-istenot-valsts-parvaldes-delegeto-uzdevumu-treso-valstu-pilsonu-integracijai/687, [viewed on 05.10.2015.]

Project “Support for third - country nationals before entry and during the adaptation period”, http://www.valoda.lv/Starpkulturu_projekti/Projekts_Atbalsts_treso_valstu_pilsoniem_pirms_iecelosanas_un_adaptacijas_perioda/1304/mid_529, [viewed on 09.10.2015.]

Implementation of the project “Support for third - country nationals before entry and during the adaptation period 2” is being completed, http://www.valoda.lv/Aktualitates/Tiek_pabeigta_projekta_Atbalsts_treso_valstu_pilsoniem_pirms_iecelosanas_un_adaptacijas_perioda_2_istenosana/1534/mid_522, [viewed on 22.09.2015.]

LRC invites to apply for free Latvian language and culture courses, http://www.redcross.lv/lv/projekti/lsk-aicina-pieteikties-bezmaksas-latviesu-valodas-un-kulturas-kursiem/, [viewed on 09.10.2015.]

Study Portrait of Third -Country Nationals in Latvia, Society Integration Foundation, 2015.

UNHCR Regional Representation for Northern Europe study “Integration of refugees in Latvia: Participation and Empowerment”, 2015. Available at http://www.unhcr-northerneurope.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/PDF/Latvia/2015-Latvia-Integration-Report.pdf, [viewed on 21.09.2015.]