Budget, Financial Services, Health, Labour Unions, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Medicine

At 12 noon today, the trade union handed in to Saeima a petition with more than 8000 signatures demanding that financing for health care be increased. The petition has been signed by almost 10,000 people, which is a serious signal to politicians that, in case they treat health care the same way as usual, people will not vote for them in the next election, said Keris.

The trade union is ready to explain to Saeima the essence of international organizations' recommendation to increase financing for health care. So far Harmony Saeima group has expressed willingness to meet with the trade union's representatives. The other parties have not done that yet.

When asked if more protests are to be expected, Keris explained that he cannot give any specific dates, but at the moment politicians are not giving any hope for the situation to improve, so the possibility of more protests cannot be ruled out.

As reported, the trade union wants a budget increase for health care to 3.25% of the gross domestic product in 2017, 3.5% in 2018, 3.75% in 2019, and 4% in 2020. At the moment, approximately 3% of GDP goes to health care.

As reported, today LVSADA held a protest by the Ministry of Finance, which was attended by approximately 60 people.

The rally was organized at a time the minister of finance was to bring next year’s budget briefcase to Saeima. The goal of the rally is to raise the public’s attention that next year’s budget does not comply with international organizations' recommendations for urgent and essential improvements in access to healthcare in Latvia.