News from the Ombudsman’s Office: December 2024 and January 2025
News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in December 2024 and January 2025 (information in links mostly available in Latvian).
Students have the right to know in advance about changes in scholarships
The criteria for receiving a scholarship may be changed, but this process must be known in a timely manner and clearly understandable to all concerned. The Cabinet Regulation adopted at the end of 2024 aggravates the situation of individual students of vocational education institutions, preventing them from applying for an increased scholarship until 30 June of this year.
The situation of parents of young children in labour market is improving, but there is still a lot to be done
Compared to the situation in 2016, respect for the employment rights of parents of young children (up to five years old) is generally improving. There are less discriminatory questions in job interviews, better attitude after announcement of pregnancy, fewer women who are not offered any benefits by their employer, fathers more often take parental leave after the birth of the child or children. At the same time, there are worrying trends, for example, some parents of young children do not receive any form of support from their employer.
Should the nationality and language of the child be taken into account in the adoption process?
In the process of adoption, the rights of the child take priority over those of adults. Therefore, an adopted child has the right to preserve their identity, including language, and to enter the new family in the gentlest way possible.
Half of employers require knowledge of foreign languages
In the Latvian labour market, knowledge of foreign languages is required in about half of cases, and the requirement for knowledge of English and Russian is clearly predominant in job advertisements. If knowledge of English is mostly required so that the employee can communicate with foreign customers, then the need for Russian is mainly justified for communication with customers in Latvia who do not speak the official language.
Several municipalities unjustifiably deny housing assistance to those who need it the most
Aizkraukle, Augšdaugava, Ķekava and Olaine municipalities have violated the law by unjustifiably requesting a certain term for declaring the place of residence for those residents who should be provided with housing assistance in the first place.
Overview of the conference “Human and Value”
On 4 December 2024, celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, one of the events organised by the Ombudsman, the Association of People with Disabilities and their Friends ‘Apeirons’ and the National Library of Latvia was the conference “Human and Value” of insights and inspiration. The guests of the conference were leaders endowed with social, political and economic power.
People with disabilities and parents of young children face problems when using taxis
Access to taxi services may vary among different groups of people and people with different disabilities. Vehicle adaptation needs to be significantly improved, drivers educated and empathised, while not forgetting the culture of safe driving, so that disabled passengers and parents with young children can also make full use of taxi services.
Presentation of the study and discussion on the effectiveness of the temporary protection against violence
Celebrating the International Human Rights Day, on 10 December 2024, the Ombudsman’s Office presented a study on the temporary protection of victims from violence in civil proceedings and organised a discussion on the effectiveness of this protection mechanism.
Winners of the Annual Disability Support Award 2024
On Wednesday, 4 December, the Ombudsman, in cooperation with the association of people with disabilities and their friends ‘Apeirons’ and the National Library of Latvia, presented the main prizes, and recognitions to this year’s winners at a solemn and emotionally sincere award ceremony at the National Library. The outstanding Latvian Paralympic athletes and their coaches were also honoured with standing ovations.