The Day of the Elderly was held in the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, during which representatives of the Latvian Pensioners' Federation discussed various economic issues with politicians, particularly the involvement of seniors in the labor market.
What is obvious: Latvian politicians enthusiastically support the idea that Latvians should work until the end of their lives.
Work, Work, and Work Again
"Old age is not a barrier to being in the labor market... Projections show that by 2060, one third of Latvia's population will be elderly. This could affect Latvia's competitiveness. Older people play an important role in the labor market and the economy, so it is important to utilize the potential of all our citizens to achieve a common goal," emphasized Minister of Economics Viktor Valainis.
The minister also noted that there is a shortage of labor in the Latvian labor market, which may only intensify in the future. He urged employers to avoid stereotypes, recognize the individual abilities of each worker, and develop appropriate company policies for cooperation between generations and the involvement of older people in the labor market.
According to the minister, the low participation of older people in the labor market is explained by several factors:
- health problems,
- lack of flexible working hours,
- age discrimination,
- regional mobility issues.
And the motivation of older people to enter the labor market, in the minister's opinion, can be fostered by government policy and the openness of employers to older people.
Today in Latvia, Every Tenth Pensioner Works
According to the Central Statistical Bureau, in 2024, 83,000 elderly people were employed in Latvia, which accounts for about 10% of all workers in the following sectors:
- agriculture,
- education,
- healthcare.
Low employment in the information and communication technology (ICT) and financial sectors – only 2% of the total number of employed.
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