Employers' body: migration policy needs a unified system, not new restrictions
Latvia's employers' confederation LDDK is calling on the interior minister for talks on migration policy, arguing the state needs a comprehensive system and better use of existing tools rather than new restrictions on businesses.
The Latvian Employers' Confederation (LDDK) has renewed its call for the interior minister to meet with employer representatives to discuss the future direction of migration policy. The organization says that despite repeated invitations, no such meeting has taken place so far.
LDDK states it supports firm action against illegal employment and abuse of the migration system, but warns that before imposing new restrictions on businesses and legally employed people, the state should first make full use of the tools and data already at its disposal. The organization backs the Prime Minister's position that a comprehensive migration policy with clear goals should be developed first, rather than introducing separate, uncoordinated measures.
New law already tightens controls
LDDK notes that the new Immigration Law, promulgated on September 1, already introduces a range of stricter tools — greater responsibility for those inviting foreigners, tighter monitoring of whether foreign students actually attend their studies, and expanded grounds to refuse or revoke residence rights when a declared purpose of stay is not met. LDDK believes the practical effectiveness of these new tools should be assessed before planning further restrictions.
Problem lies in coordination, not lack of rules
The organization also points to conclusions from a Saeima parliamentary inquiry commission, which found that the core problem is insufficiently coordinated use of existing data and institutions rather than a lack of regulation. Various state institutions already hold information about foreigners' residence status and employment, but it is not sufficiently linked to detect violations in time.
LDDK expressed concern that an informative report being advanced in the Cabinet of Ministers proposes new restrictions, including on self-employment for third-country nationals, instead of addressing the institutional gaps identified by the inquiry commission. LDDK Director General Kaspars Gorkšs said banning self-employment could push some legitimate taxpayers toward relying on social budget support instead, and stressed that every proposal should be judged by its actual consequences, not just its stated aim.
