The long-established practice in Latvia of moving a working day between several weekends to Saturday before or after a holiday may be changed, at least partially, if not completely.
Last week, the government postponed a decision on moving two working days in 2027, which was an unusual step considering that next year there are three such working days falling between holidays. The project presented to the Cabinet of Ministers proposes moving the working day of June 25, 2027 (Friday), which falls between the holiday - Thursday, June 24 - and Saturday, June 26, to Saturday, June 19, as well as moving the working day of November 19, 2027 (Friday), which falls between the holiday - Thursday, November 18 - and Saturday, November 20, to Saturday, November 13.
These conditions will apply to institutions funded from the state budget and their employees, for whom a five-day working week from Monday to Friday is established. In point 2 of the draft regulation, it is recommended that all municipalities, enterprises, and organizations comply with the relevant transfer when determining working and non-working hours. It is noted that in 2027 there will be three working days between a public holiday and a day off - in addition to the two mentioned, this includes Monday, May 3 (which falls between Sunday, May 2, and the public holiday - Tuesday, May 4).
To determine whether it is advisable to move working days, the Ministry of Welfare organized a survey of target groups - budget institutions - on the website "Visidati.lv" in April. The overwhelming majority supports the transfer of working days in 2027; however, when analyzing the motivation for moving working days, the results are not unambiguous. The main argument in favor of moving working days is the possibility of enjoying longer weekends without losing annual leave days, while considerations of work organization or convenience are of secondary importance.
The Latvian Confederation of Employers does not oppose the transfer of specific working days in 2027 but is against maintaining such a practice in labor legislation as a whole. According to the confederation, the organization of working time is a direct responsibility of the employer and the head of the institution, and it should be carried out taking into account the specifics of the particular sector, institution, or company activity, as well as the need to ensure continuous and efficient operation.
Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks stated that the possibility of completely abandoning the transfer of working days could be considered.
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