Financial Services, Labour Unions, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Wages

As reported, the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia hold a rally at the Cabinet of Ministers' building "in support of social justice and against poverty" to emphasize the importance of respectful living and working conditions in Latvia.

In response to the rally, the finance minister urges the government to heed the organization's demands and act to reduce income inequality in Latvia.

Income inequality in Latvia has reached such a level that it must not be ignored. Reducing income inequality must be the government's main priority, emphasizes the minister. The Finance Ministry's measures will allow to reduce the tax burden on low wage earners and families with children, reduce poverty and unemployment risks, the minister points out in his statement to the mass media.

The Finance Ministry proposes increasing the minimum wage, differentiating the non-taxable minimum and raising tax breaks for dependants.