Kulbergs leaves culture workers' pay issue to the next culture minister
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs is not offering concrete pay-rise proposals ahead of planned protests in Latvia's culture sector. Talks with the sector and a long-term plan are to be handled by the next culture minister after a new government is formed.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) does not currently plan to come forward with concrete proposals on raising salaries for culture sector workers before the protests planned in the sector, according to "Kultūršoks".
The prime minister's office explains
Elīna Šverna, the prime minister's communications adviser, told "Kultūršoks" that talks with sector representatives and the preparation of a long-term plan for a gradual increase in pay will be the "serious work" of the next culture minister. That work will begin once the new government has been put together.
Budget not yet discussed
Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance), who is still serving as culture minister, confirmed that the government has so far held no talks on the sector's budget for next year.
As a result, on the eve of the protests the sector's representatives have received neither a concrete pay offer nor clarity on next year's funding. The issue has been postponed until after the change of government, when a new culture minister takes office.
