Employment, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Metals Market

The task force behind the plan, consisting of various ministry and Liepaja City Council representatives has offered, if needed, to provide support for re-qualifying Liepajas metalurgs workers, promoting economic activity and investment attraction in Liepaja and creating new jobs.

In order to facilitate employment, the Welfare Ministry has offered to ensure individual consultations, meet with employers, provide activities for improving competitiveness, professional courses, state language courses and the acquisition of non-formal education programs with the help of the Employment Agency.

According to Economy Minister Daniels Pavluts, the plan was reviewed by the government in case Liepajas metalurgs shuts down.

"We have come up with these measures to be able to set them in motion if necessary. If Liepajas metalurgs workers are left without jobs, we will be ready, said the minister.

The required funding for these measures could be allotted by redistributing the European Union's funds, explained Pavluts.

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) told reporters that the report was heard out by the government as potential support for Liepaja in case of Liepajas metalurgs shareholders failing to reach an agreement with the company's creditors.

The government's duty is to keep in mind additional solutions for supporting business activity and production in Liepaja, added Dombrovskis.

Liepajas metalurgs is the largest employer in Liepaja, constituting nearly 60% of the city's manufacturing output and employing 5 percent of Liepaja's economically active residents. The company employed more than 2,200 persons at the beginning of 2013.