As you are well aware, talent and labor force are named between the most problematic aspects in Latvia's business environment in many respects. Moreover, at the beginning of this year AmCham Board highlighted labor force issues as one of AmCham's strategic priorities for this year. We have had numerous discussions, conversations and events throughout the year concerning the main challenges Latvia is facing in this respect and what could be AmCham and our member's role in tackling these issues. 

The group is led by Ieva Rācenāja, Director of Riga Graduate School of Law and AmCham Vice President.

2023
On May 18, 2023, AmCham met with Anda Caksa, Minister of Education and Science to discuss the Minister’s priorities and the government’s plans with regard to upskilling or reskilling the existing workforce and ways to promote a culture of cooperation between universities and the industry to lessen the mismatch between the quality of education received and labor market demands.

On March 21, AmCham met with Liga Mengelsone, Minister of Health to discuss healthcare issues as well as the human capital, being the top priorities for AmCham, including proactively supporting healthcare and human capital policy improvements as the basis for further economic growth.

2022
In 2022, AmCham contributed to OECD project on supporting employers to promote skills development in Latvia. At the beginning of 2022 AmCham also meet with Anita Muizniece, Minister of Education and Science to discuss the upcoming changes in the education system of Latvia as well as the necessity of advancing digital skills and life-long learning to adapt to the changing labor market needs. 

At the end of 2022, AmCham launched recommendations for increasing the nation’s competitiveness, proactive investment attraction, and targeted investments in Latvian human capital. On November 3, the recommendations were sent to the parties represented in the Saeima, inviting them to prioritize investment attraction and human capital development. In the field of human capital development, AmCham proposed the revision of state employment policy, attracting and retaining talent, upskilling and reskilling based on the labor market needs, increasing state investments in science, research and education as well as implementing strategic investments in healthcare, introducing more effective healthcare organizational model based on value-based healthcare and health digitalization. 

2021
On February 17, AmCham sent a letter and recommendations to stakeholders calling to invest in upskilling and reskilling programs with an aim at improving digital literacy among citizens.

View the Recommendations in ENG and LV.

According to the survey conducted by AmCham at the end of 2020 and at the beginning of 2021, members revealed top skills required and ways how they are upskilling their employees. The survey also included assessment of the government-subsidized upskilling programs if they have been used by member companies.

The results showed that additional training is necessary in the following skill areas: leadership, digital, project management, English and Russian language and data. The results of the survey are available HERE

2020
In April 2020 the Chamber conducted membership survey where members share their experience how they are dealing with legal aspects of remote work. Three main areas were highlighted: work conditions, well-being of employees and legal aspects. 56% of members admitted that there should be immediate revisions in the labor legislation related to remote work. View the presentation

On April 27, 2020 AmCham sent a letter to stakeholders calling to revise the existing programs and courses available for upskilling and retraining based on the real demand in the labor market at present and following the crisis. AmCham proposed to identify various solutions and technologies already available for use free of charge that can contribute to the skills needed and to introduce a new model of how skills are acquired - relevant for a digital society and economy. Proposals to improve the quality and content of upskilling and retraining programs are based on four stages: foundational skills, critical soft skills, technical skills and continued learning. To view them in ENG and LV.

2019
Recognizing that labor shortage challenges are severely affecting the business and investment climate in Latvia, AmCham conducted a Labor Force survey (February 2019 - April 2019), about Latvia's labor market and attraction of talent. The goal of the survey was to collect our members' opinion on labor market challenges and their experience in attracting and retaining talent. As the result of the survey two priority areas were highlighted: Promoting Latvia as an international career destination and Developing skills to reduce labor market mismatch. The survey reveals how company executives perceive current employment issues, what they are doing to attract and retain talent and what should be done to promote Latvia as a career destination.

View results of survey on labor market
View AmCham position on talent attraction

The main findings together with hands-on recommendations will be communicated to various stakeholders during the launch event on June 21, 2019 at Pullman Riga Old Town Hotel.

As a member-driver organization we rely on members' expertise and initiative. Please do keep us informed about issues important for your business thus we can collectively address them.

If you wish to participate and contribute to this working group, please contact Liga Smildzina-Bertulsone by e-mail: liga.bertulsone@amcham.lv.