The outdated heating system in the premises of the Latvian State Archive in Riga, on Bezdeligu Street, is unable to provide sufficient warmth — in the visitor service halls, the temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, reports Latvian Television.
The television program notes that visitors to the archive and staff are suffering from the cold. Despite additional heaters, the temperature at workstations is below the acceptable level — by the end of the day, the offices can only be heated to 15–16 degrees.
The director of the Latvian National Archive, Mara Sprudža, complains that it requires 100,000 euros to replace the heating unit built during the Soviet era and restore the supply of warm air.
The State Labor Inspectorate found during an inspection that the temperature at workstations, even with all additional heaters, was significantly lower than the 19 degrees established by the Cabinet of Ministers' regulations.
Sprudža stated that problems with heating began at the end of December when all employees were working remotely and the temperature in all archive buildings was lowered to reduce heating costs. However, after the temperature was reduced, the system was unable to return to normal operation.
The Ministry of Culture is aware of the situation at the Latvian National Archive. Deputy State Secretary Baiba Mūrniece reported that the ministry will appeal to the government for funding from the contingency fund to address this crisis in the state archive.
