Commission Report (2002): Latvia

Economic, social and cultural rights

With regard to equal opportunities, the Government adopted in March 2002 an Action Plan, which provides for a National Gender Equality Strategy 2003--07. In 2001, one case involving the principle of gender equality was brought to court. The claimant sued the prison administration for refusing to employ her as a prison guard because she was a woman. The Court confirmed that there had been gender discrimination. The new Labour Law, which entered into force in June 2002, is a major step forward and should contribute to addressing the discrimination which women continue to face in the workplace in terms of recruitment and pay (see Chapter 13 -- Social policy and employment). There were 21 female members of Parliament (out of a total of 100) and 2 women in the Government.

Regarding children's rights, Latvia ratified the European Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children in April 2002.

Improvements are needed with regard to the treatment of disabled and mentally ill persons. Further legislation to protect the rights of the mentally ill has to be adopted. Recourse to proper proceedings in case of detention of persons and prevention of degrading treatment of those in care need to be systematically ensured. Despite gradual improvement, the conditions in some facilities, including the Riga main psychiatric hospital, and the lack of state support for medicines required by some patients remain a source of serious concern.

Regarding the role of trade unions, all the essential legislative preconditions for the formation and functioning of trade unions exist. However, trade unions continue to struggle with distrust from the legacy of the past.

In January 2002, the Latvian Parliament ratified the European Social Charter. Latvia has selected ten Articles in Part II of the Charter as binding, guaranteeing the right to work, the right of organisation, the right of collective bargaining, the right to protection of employed women, the right to vocational guidance, the right to health protection, the right to social and medical assistance, the right to benefit from social welfare services, the right of the family to social, legal and economic protection, and the right of mothers and children to social and economic protection. The Charter entered into force in March 2002.

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