As of 1 January 2024 Ukrainian refugees that have found jobs in Latvia will be obligated to attend Latvian language lessons, as agreed upon by Saeima’s Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee.
The committee continued reviewing amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians in the second reading.
During the meeting members of the discussions addressed a proposal from the Ministry of Culture, which provided for making it mandatory for Ukrainian refugees that have found jobs in Latvia to attend Latvian language lessons starting with 1 January 2024. Currently there is no such requirement for Ukrainians in Latvia.
Representatives of Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem association said no such requirement exists for other groups of residents in Latvia, and not all Ukrainian refugees will be able to comply with it. Representatives say that it is far more important to ensure availability of lessons, because there is demand but no supply.
Saeima deputy Uģis Rotbergs said «the state language should not be made into a boogeyman». Rotbergs said that
«Ukrainians who are here to stay must learn Latvian language, whereas those who may remain for half a year might not need it».
Rotbergs also said the war will end one day and legally these people will no longer be considered refugees. This is why in a long term perspective these people should be presented with such a requirement. He stressed that this way Latvian language will be used as a whip. He proposed to address this issue next spring instead.
Saeima deputy Jana Simanovska said amendments to the aforementioned law will definitely undergo a repeated review next spring, so she agreed the topic should be postponed until then.
Deputy Jana Simanovska agreed now is not the time to discuss these amendments.
Saeima member Edmunds Zivtiņš said these amendments do not mean anything will be forced on people, rather it is a measure to meet them halfway to make it easier for Ukrainian refugees to find work more easily. He also said amendments should have been adopted on the 1st of January 2023.
According to Saeima deputy Jānis Dombrava said this proposal does not mean Latvian language will be forced on people. He explained that this requirement will give a signal to the Ukrainians who decide to stay in Latvia that they will have to attend language lessons soon.
Aleksejs Rosļikovs stressed officials have a duty to contribute to rational use of the state budget. This is why he believes if the state budget allocates funding for Latvian language lessons, Ukrainians should be required to attend them. He explained that no single group of residents in Latvia should be allowed to not know Latvian language.
Six members of the committee supported the proposal to have Ukrainian refugees with jobs in Latvia to start attending Latvian language lessons next year.
As previously reported, the existing redaction of the law states that Ukrainian refugees in Latvia are to be provided with aid until the 31st December of 2022. Amendments viewed by the committee state that primary support is to be provided for no longer than until the 30th of June 2023. As for accommodation services, they are to be provided for no longer than until the 30th of June 2023 for Ukrainian refugees that may require it after the end of the 60 or 120-day period listed in the law.
The Cabinet of Ministers may decide, after reading a report from a relevant ministry, to allocate funding for a unified state and municipal client service centre and coordination centre in order to procure necessary premises, equipment, as well as pay for management and utilities.
Amendments state that Ukrainian residents who have the right to receive temporary protection are to be provided with a residence permit by the Office of Citizenship and Migration affairs for a period of two years.
The approved redaction states that Ukrainian citizens who have travel documents issued in Ukraine have the right to find a job without having a residence permit. In such situations, however, employment contracts are allowed to last no more than 30 days. Ukrainians who found work in Latvia are required to contact the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs within ten days of signing their employment contract in order to request a residence permit.