The Covid-19 pandemic has not left any lasting consequences for Latvia’s labour market so far, because the employees that had lost their jobs over the course of this crisis were able to adapt and take other jobs, says Latvian State Employment Agency (NVA) director Evita Simsone.
«This crisis, fortunately, has not caused lasting consequences. The employees who had previously lost their jobs in this crisis have managed to adapt relatively quickly and accept other job offers, staying unemployed for only a short while in the process,» says Simsone.
She said in June 2021 the average unemployment period was 226 days. Unemployment period was up to six months long for 43.2% registered unemployed people.
Simsone also noted that in June 2021 there were 21 419 lasting unemployed people registered with NVA. These people make up 31.8% of the total number of unemployed people. At the end of July 2021 there were 20 263 lasting unemployed people or 31.5% of the total number of unemployed people.
«This means the total number of job-seekers in Latvia has declined 1 156 people,» she added.
NVA director admits the general situation on the labour market is positive and the employment levels are on a rise. However, this also means tension is up among employers looking for potential employees.
Simsone stresses that the situation on the labour market is not too different from the situation observed last year.
«The conditions may differ. For example, there were fewer vacant jobs in the accommodation and catering sectors, which is normal for the summer season. Negative trends are still observed in these sectors, but the situation is not all that different. The construction sector, similarly to previous years, is one of the leading sectors for job seekers. Similarly agriculture and forestry are actively looking for workers,» said the head of NVA.
NVA: Covid-19 pandemic has not left lasting consequences for Latvia’s labour market
