Saeima deputy and chairman of Citizenship, Migration and Public Cohesion Committee Ingmārs Līdaka told TV24 programme News TOP that the initiative to have recipients of residence permits in Latvia learn the state language is in big trouble, as reported by TV24 representative Lelde Veinberga.
«I have information that the National Centre for Education (VISC) expects major problems with capacity, because there are 20 000 people who are to receive their state language certificate by the 1st of September,» said the politician. The increase of VISC capacity would require funding of approximately EUR 1 million to test those 20 000 people and then prepare necessary documents, but this is a smaller problem.
«I allow this is already bordering illegal, if a country adopts a law the implementation of which it cannot guarantee.»
Līdaka is certain that VISC and the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) will experience problems, as both of these institutions have to prepare documents by the 1st of September. According to him, PMLP already experiences problems with passport change and issue of eID cards.
As a solution, the chairman of Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee suggests adding changes to legislation. Considering that residence permits have to be updated and restored every five years, it may be possible to introduce a requirement for recipients to present an appropriate state language level. «We are gradually moving towards the same goal. Yes, slightly slower – this should be a five-year term,» said Līdaka. The committee under him has plans to meet with PMLP representatives next week to discuss legislative changes.
Also read: Latvia to adopt tighter conditions for issue of residence permits