Latvia - Debate on Labour Act amendments - January 31, 2026

Proposed amendments to the Labour Act sparked debate among unions and employers after suggestions that overtime pay premiums could be reduced. The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) warned that lowering overtime compensation would undermine negotiated wage standards and weaken workers incomes. Business organisations supported greater flexibility, arguing it would help competitiveness. Union leaders insisted that any reforms must be discussed through proper tripartite consultation and should not erode established collective bargaining rights.

Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)…

For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.