The main objective of the Latvian report is to provide information for the EMN study on the role of labour migration regulation and practice in addressing the current and future labour shortages in Latvia. The main focus is on the legislation and policies regulating labour migration, as well as practices regarding third-country nationals in the period from January 2021 to June 2024.
According to the medium and long-term labour market forecasts developed by the Ministry of Economics, in general, both in the medium and long term, demand will grow mainly for specialists in highly qualified professions. The sharpest decline in labour demand will be in low-skilled professions. This will affect all sectors.
Latvia is not in a unique situation, a record high employment rate and a historically low unemployment rate have also been achieved in the European Union. However, almost every sector is experiencing a shortage of workers – in others it is less pronounced, while in others the situation is so critical that it is impossible to fully complete the work, because there is no one working.
Latvia has begun work on improving existing processes (amendments were made to the Immigration Law, a “Green Corridor” is being developed) so that it would be easier for highly qualified professionals to start working in Latvia.