Union demands resignation of Health Minister Abu Meri, plans protest

The Council of the Latvian Healthcare and Social Care Workers' Union (LVSADA) has decided to demand the resignation of Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (JV/Progressives... actually New Unity), declaring no confidence in him. The union argues the minister has failed to secure a concrete, adequately funded government decision to address the crisis in healthcare.

LVSADA chairwoman Līga Bāriņa said no significant changes have been seen in the sector since 2021, and criticized difficulties in communicating with the minister as well as limited opportunities to raise the sector's concerns at government meetings.

Demanding a 30% pay rise

The union is demanding that the 2027 state budget guarantee a pay increase of at least 30% for all healthcare workers, with the necessary funding built into the tariffs for state-funded health services. It also wants the government to review rules on minimum monthly wages and to introduce a regular mechanism for reviewing pay.

In September, the Health Ministry informed the union that a 25.4% pay rise would require €228.7 million. Talks acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, but no decision on funding was made. The government's draft budget response recognizes the sector needs €663 million in additional funding overall, but earmarks only €45.2 million for human resources, without specifying the actual amount to be allocated.

Protest planned, further action possible

LVSADA's Council decided to organize a picket outside the Cabinet building, tasking its office with preparations, identifying participants, and inviting other unions and patient organizations to join. If the government fails to adopt concrete funding decisions, an extraordinary Council meeting will be convened to decide on further collective action.

The union noted that the target of raising healthcare funding to 6% of GDP by 2027 will not be met, and a planned annual indexation of healthcare workers' salaries has not been implemented either. LVSADA pointed to a European Commission report finding insufficient public healthcare funding and a significant shortage of staff — Latvia has 3.4 doctors and 4.2 nurses per 1,000 residents, compared to an EU average of 4.3 doctors and 7.6 nurses, with more than 40% of doctors and nurses aged 55 or older.