On Thursday, the 12th of December, the Latvian Saeima once again rejected the legislative draft from opposition party “For Stability!” that provided for freezing the wages of members of the parliament on the level of 2024 until the end of this parliament’s term.
Parties of the ruling coalition – “New Unity,” “Progressives”, and “Union of Greens and Farmers” – either voted against this proposal or abstained in the vote. All opposition parties, on the other hand, supported this proposal.
According to parties, amendments to the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Authorities are necessary “to demonstrate solidarity with Latvian society and ensure social justice”.
Approval of amendments would have a positive effect on public trust in the government, as well as demonstrate how high-ranking public servants participate in the fight against economic challenges, according to “For Stability”.
“It would promote social stability and sense of justice, as well as help relieve the tension that may surface from imbalanced growth of wages in the government sector. Additionally, it could also help enhance responsible management of finances, which would, in turn, promote economic growth,” the opposition party mentions in the annotation to the legislative draft.
The government has supported a limit on the growth of the 2025 remuneration fund of no more than 2.6% compared to the plan updated on the 31st of July this year. The leadership of the Saeima has also decided to apply a limit, not freeze, on growth of deputies’ wages.