Labour market situation and participation of unemployed with disabilities in Active labour market measures in Latvia EURES adviser Agija Krafte

Registered unemployment rate Registered unemployment rate in Latvia- 9.0 % ( data on ) Registered unemployment rate by regions - (data on ) * Source: NVA statistics Basic facts: Population of Latvia- ≈ 2.02 million Economically active inhabitants- 66.1% people with disabilities- 161,483(according to statistics in 2013 of Health and Capacity for Work Expert Physicians’ Commission (VDEAVK). 1

Registered unemployed with disabilities in Latvia Registered unemployed Registered unemployed with disability Percentage of registered unemployed with disability from the total number of registered unemployed Percentage of registered unemployed with disabilities according to problem groups (the end of February 2015) 53,2% - long term unemployed 56,8% - unemployed in the age group 50+ 3,6% - Youth 2

Registered unemployed by problem groups in Daugavpils affiliate 3

Activities that contribute the integration of the unemployed in labour market and the society, helping the unemployed to master (restore) job skills Labour market measures Individual and group career consultations (inter alia psychologist consultations, psychotherapist’s consultations and career panning consultations) Measures to increase competiveness (MIC) Acquisition of informal education with coupon method Vocational continuing education and vocational improvement education programs for the unemployed with coupon methodVocational continuing education and vocational improvement education programs for the unemployed with coupon method Measure for unemployed representing disadvantaged groups Paid temporary public works Support measure for long-term unemployed persons with addictions Measures for business or self-employment start-up Promotion of regional mobility of persons employed by merchants 4

Profiling, Job search assistance, Career counselling, Key competences Non-formal training (15-24) (languages, IT etc.) Vocational training programs (15-24) (2nd chance programs, programs improving or acquiring vocational qualification) First work experience (18-29) Development of skills necessary for work in NGOs (voluntary work) (18-24) Youth workshops (15-24) Subsidized workplaces (18-29) Measures to support the young unemployed to enter self-employment or entrepreneurship (18-29) For all young unemployed For youth with certain background (sufficient level of education or work experience), but cannot find work due to lack of skills Youth with no vocational background or with insufficient level of education for entering labour market For youth with sufficient skills, but without job experience Disadvantaged youth (with disabilities, long term unemployed ) Youth with appropriate education or with entrepreneurship skills Youth Guarantees’s measures- road map A. Support Within the hole time during the following measures: -informal and vocational programs -Youth workshops B. Support during first 4 moths: - First work experience for Youth - Subsidized workplaces Regional Mobility for Youth (15-29) (financial support for transportation and rent expenses- not more than 100 EUR per month First work experience (18-29) Development of skills necessary for work in NGOs (voluntary work) (18-24) Youth workshops (15-24) 5

The number of unemployed with disabilities participating in active labour market measures (period Jan-Feb.2015) Measures to increase competiveness (MIC) (including informative days) Youth guarantees Acquisition of informal education Paid temporary public works Measure for unemployed representing disadvantaged groups Support measure for long-term unemployed persons with addictions 6

Training offered to unemployed by State Employment agency Length: hours Example: Courses, seminars and lectures, individual consultations about the methods used to find a job, psychological support and other skills necessary for labour market Duration: up to 8 months Implemented with the voucher (coupon)system; maximum one participation in professional education programs within two years; During training only unemployed receive a grant of EUR 99,60 per calendar month; Certificate of obtained professional qualification after passing the final test Example: construction worker, welder, professions of service industry and other professions Measures to increase competiveness Vocational continuing education and vocational improvement education programs 7 Acquisition of Informal education  Duration– up to 2 months; Implemented with the voucher (coupon)system maximum two informal education programs within a year During training- grant of EUR 99,60 per calendar month Certificate confirming obtained knowledge after passing the final test Example: language courses, computer courses, tractor driving programs etc.

The aim: to promote social inclusion and competitiveness, to improve working skills and to promote finding a regular job. Target groups: –persons who have been registered at the Agency and have been jobless for at least six months; –persons who have not acquired general secondary education or professional qualification; –unemployed people taking care of one or more dependent persons as single adults; –persons belonging to a national minority who need to improve knowledge of the official state language, professional knowledge or professional experience to increase their chances to find a regular job; –persons who have been jobless for 24 months and more; –disabled persons. Subsidized workplace for Youth (18-29) (Measure for unemployed representing disadvantaged groups) I 8

Other unemployed representing disadvantaged groups of youth Duration: 12 months -A grant for monthly wage: in amount of 50 % of the monthly salary determined by the employers, taking into account that the monthly grant for normal working hours shall not exceed the state determined minimum monthly wage; Disabled Youth Duration: 24 months - a grant for monthly wage: in amount of the state determined minimum monthly wage (360 EUR); - Grant for adaption of work place in accordance with the opinion of an occupational health therapist (not more than 711 EUR); - monthly grant for assistant’s services: 50% of the national minimum monthly salary (180 EUR); -grant for health checks according to legislation on mandatory health checks; - services of ergotherapists, sign language interpreters and assistants if necessary. Financial support -wage subsidy to the supervisor- 50% of the national minimum monthly salary (180 EUR); -monthly costs for the mandatory state social insurance contributions of the grant for salary if the employer is a society or foundation dealing with support for disabled persons and employing the unemployed persons in the following professions – assistant or companion for disabled persons, a sign language interpreter, a Latvian sign language interpreter for deaf persons, an educator of an interest group for disabled persons, or a special needs educator; Subsidized workplace for Youth (18-29) (Measure for unemployed representing disadvantaged groups) II 9

The aim: -to promote integration into labour market; - to promote the creation of permanent workplace and permanent employment for young people. Target groups of Youth: -with acquired vocational or higher education - registered in the status of unemployed at least 1 month, or less than 1 month but at least 4 month have not been working; -before acquisition of the status of unemployed have not been previously employed or have worked, but not more than 12 month (the whole insurance record). Duration: 12 months First work experience for Youth (18-29) I 10

Other unemployed youth -A grant for monthly wage: First 6 months-160 EUR Last 6 months- 100 EUR -Wage subsidy to the supervisor during the first 3 months- 25% of the national minimum monthly salary (90EUR) Disabled Youth - a grant for monthly wage: First 6 months- 240 EUR Last 6 months- 200 EUR -wage subsidy to the supervisor during 12 months- 25% of the national minimum monthly salary (90 EUR); - Grant for adaption of work place in accordance with the opinion of an occupational health therapist (not more than 711EUR); - services of ergotherapists, sign language interpreters and assistants if necessary. Financial support First work experience for Youth (18-29) II -grant for health checks according to legislation on mandatory health checks; - Lump sum grant for purchase of personal protective equipment (not more than 50 EUR) -monthly costs for the mandatory state social insurance contributions of the grant for salary if the employer is a society or foundation dealing with support for disabled persons and employing the unemployed persons in the following professions – assistant or companion for disabled persons, a sign language interpreter, a Latvian sign language interpreter for deaf persons, an educator of an interest group for disabled persons, or a special needs educator; 11

Paid Temporary Public Works The aim - activation of disadvantaged unemployed by maintaining and developing their work related skills Persons will be employed in socially useful workplaces, except in commercial activities Workplaces –non-profit organizations- municipalities, associations or foundations. Target group: –Long term unemployed –Registered in the SEA as unemployed for longer than 6 months or less than 6 month but at least last 12 months have not been working –Do not receive unemployment benefits The period - do not exceed 4 months per year Financial support Compensation – 142,29 EUR neto mandatory social insurance contributions; accident insurance-related expenses; grant for health checks according to legislation on mandatory health checks. Participants can have 2 days per month off to take part in job interviews or participate in active labour market policy measures 12

Thank you for the attention!