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The most at risk of losing their jobs exposed railroad workers and fish processing industries. According to the projections by the Welfare and Economy ministries, the risk-group includes unskilled workers, as well as persons who cannot speak the state language.

Welfare Ministry State Secretary Ieva Jaunzeme points out to LETA that there is especial concern regarding state-owned joint-stock railway company Latvija Dzelzcels (Latvian Rail), while is completely dependent on the Russian market. ''Other sectors can find different markets, but you cannot take the rail lines anywhere else,'' she said.

The Welfare Ministry did not reveal the exact number of persons who could lose their jobs, but said that these calculations have been submitted to the government.