The number of work permits for citizens of third countries in Latvia has increased almost sevenfold over the past ten years. At the same time, it is often not highly qualified specialists who come to the country, but drivers, builders, and laborers.
Latvian enterprises are increasingly attracting workers from countries outside the European Union. If ten years ago about 3,500 work permits were issued to citizens of third countries, by 2025 this number is expected to reach almost 23,000, reports Latvian Radio.
The main reason for this growth, according to authorities, is the demographic decline and labor shortage.
According to Imants Lipskis, director of the Labor Market Policy Department at the Ministry of Welfare, the number of employed residents in Latvia will continue to decrease in the coming years. An additional factor is the rise in salaries in the country, which makes Latvia more attractive to foreigners. However, in practice, employers most often seek low-skilled workers.
"Laborers, truck drivers, and builders dominate. These are the three most in-demand professions," noted Lipskis.
Among the sought-after specialties are also concrete workers, cooks, and factory workers. The majority of workers come from Uzbekistan, Belarus, India, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. The largest sector employing migrants remains transportation.
The second largest is recruitment and labor leasing agencies. In fact, such companies employ foreigners as their own employees and then send them to work for other employers.
"These are intermediary agencies that attract citizens of third countries and then 'lease' them to Latvian employers," explained Lipskis.
Since last year, employers are required to obtain a conclusion from the State Employment Agency before attracting foreigners. Formally, companies must first assess the possibility of finding local workers. However, statistics show that in 80% of cases, the agency still issues a positive conclusion. Only about one in ten cases manages to find local candidates.
Authorities acknowledge that Latvia can no longer completely abandon labor migration. Janis Salmins, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics, stated directly that the problem of labor shortages is becoming critical.
"The honest answer is that without migration, we will not be able to," he emphasized.
At the same time, the government is trying to develop the attraction of qualified specialists while reducing bureaucracy. However, according to representatives of ministries, entrepreneurs often circumvent complex requirements.
"It is easier for them to state that they are looking for a low-skilled worker and then negotiate on-site — for example, if a welder or driver is needed," noted Salmins.
An additional problem arises with the so-called posting of workers within the EU. A work permit is issued, for example, in Latvia, and then the person is sent to work in another European country. As a result, Latvian institutions effectively help supply labor to other states.
At the same time, workers are also sent to Latvia through agencies from Poland, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. They are most often employed in construction, industry, and large energy projects — for example, in the construction of solar and wind farms.
Authorities acknowledge: competition for labor between EU countries will only intensify.
