Latvian State Institution Seeks Employees Who Speak Russian – Why Do They Need This?

A new scandal in the internet bubble of Latvian nationalists. A state structure speaking Russian has been discovered in Latvia.

“SHOCKING! The state institution Society Integration Foundation requires employees to know Russian, discriminating against all young people born after 1991! Human Rights Bureau, why do you allow discrimination in Latvia? Labor Inspectorate, please eliminate the violation of the law!” – vigilant citizens write, providing a photocopy of the document.

It indeed states that the state Society Integration Foundation (SIF) is looking for a secretary. Among a dozen requirements for candidates, it is mentioned that understanding English and Russian is desirable. By the way, the salary promised to the secretary is 120-1300 euros net.

The “shocking” requirement to know Russian was quickly responded to by the SIF. They justify themselves:

“The Society Integration Foundation has taken note of the opinions expressed in the public space regarding the desired knowledge of the Russian language indicated in the job announcement. We want to emphasize that work in the foundation is conducted in Latvian, and knowledge of foreign languages is not established as a mandatory requirement for this vacancy! The mention of desired knowledge of the Russian language was included considering the specifics of the job responsibilities and daily work with various groups of society, including civilians from Ukraine.”

The attempt to cover up with Ukrainians was unsuccessful. Accusations against the SIF poured in from internet users.

Evdin Shnore: – If working with “civilian residents of Ukraine,” then why is knowledge of Russian preferred, not Ukrainian? Maybe you’ll say it as it is: we cover ourselves with Ukrainians when we need a pretext to serve local Russians in Russian.

Aivars Lokmanis: – Thus, if there are two candidates — one without and one with knowledge of Russian, the one with knowledge of Russian will be chosen.

Ainar Zelch: – And they did not understand or did not want to understand that the time of the Russian language has passed — Russian is not even spoken in Belarus. They do not realize that Russia is over.

Dace Lindberg: – Do you even have a little bit of conscience? Ukrainians have a UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE! Українська мова!!! Leave everyone alone with your Russian language already! You continue the criminal Russification of Latvia with state money!”

Deduktors: – So you are not only Russifying Latvians but also forcing Ukrainians to speak Russian??

Ilze: – There are areas in Ukraine where alarms are less frequent than now in Ludza. We no longer need to accept new migrants from Ukraine. Those who arrived a few years ago should learn Latvian or leave.

Tofix: – Reminder — why has the Society Integration Foundation not been liquidated yet??

ŠOKĒJOŠI!
Valsts pakļautības iestāde @SIFlv pieprasa darbiniekiem mācēt krievu valodu, diskriminējot visus jauniešus, kas dzimuši pēc 1991. gada! @Tiesibsargs_LV - kāpēc pieļaujat diskrimināciju Latvijā?@darbainspekcija - lūgums novērst likuma pārkāpumu! @reinisuzulnieks pic.twitter.com/bDMCaKKsg9
— Vislatviskākais latvietis (@LV_visiem) May 20, 2026