The Socialist Party of Latvia has called for a rally on 25 October in Riga to oppose proposed amendments to the country’s Labour Law, warning that the changes would weaken workers’ rights and reduce overtime compensation.
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Latvian Socialist Party calls on workers to take to streets against reduction of labour rights
Socialist Party of Latvia calls for rally against labour law amendments and austerity
The party frames the dispute as part of a broader struggle against neoliberalism and the prioritisation of business interests over those of working people.
The demonstration is scheduled for 12:00 on Raiņa Boulevard 4, opposite the office of the Latvian Employers’ Confederation (LDDK), which the party identifies as a leading force behind the proposed amendments.
In its appeal, the Socialist Party argues that the political direction of the incoming government, including the nomination of LDDK Director General K. Gorkša to head the State Chancellery, signals an increased likelihood that the disputed reforms will be pushed through. The party says trade unions have opposed the proposals and that it has supported their resistance.
At the centre of the dispute is a proposed reduction in overtime pay. Under the existing general rule, overtime is compensated at a premium of 100%. The amendments would allow employers and employee representatives to agree through a collective agreement to reduce this premium, to no less than 50%, under specified conditions linked to increases in the minimum wage at the company or sectoral level. Trade unions have argued that the proposal could reduce workers’ incomes and undermine established labour protections.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has also criticised the amendments, calling on Latvian parliamentarians to reject provisions that would reduce overtime compensation, restrict the continued application of collective agreements and weaken safeguards for trade-union members against dismissal. The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia has likewise opposed changes that it considers detrimental to workers’ interests.
The Socialist Party’s appeal urges working people to unite and publicly demand that their rights be protected. Its message is that workers’ incomes and conditions should not be sacrificed in the name of business competitiveness or profitability.
The rally on 25 October will provide an opportunity for the party to bring its opposition to the proposed legislation into the streets and press the authorities to reconsider the reforms.