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Implementing the state social policy in labour, social protection, protection of children rights, children and family affairs as well as disabled persons regarding equal opportunities, the Ministry of Welfare informs about several important alterations that come into force as of January 1, 2011.
As of January 1, 2011:
- The rate of Mandatory State Social Insurance Contributions for employee in general case will be 35.09%, out of which 24.09% is paid by employer and 11% is paid by employee;
- 2% of contributions will be directed to the 2nd pillar of pensions;
- Person is secured for pensions (except for disability pension) if employer has actually paid social insurance contributions (changes apply to contributions made for the period from January 1, 2011). If employer had not actually made social insurance contributions, person can make such payments as it reaches the age of retirement;
- If employer is caught in the unregistered employment of workers, tax administration will collect social insurance contributions for 3 months period (to date it was collected for 1 month period);
- until 2013 the indexation of pensions as well as remuneration for the loss of capacity for work and supporter will be frozen;
- Disbursement of unemployment benefit according to State Social Insurance key principle (allowance correspond to contributions) is set for the last five or three months.
Unemployed person with insurance length from 1 to 9 years (included) will receive unemployment benefit for the last five months in the following amount:
- two months - 45 lats per month but not more than 75 % from the allocated unemployment benefit,
- last three months - 45 lats per month but not more than 50 % from the allocated unemployment benefit.
Unemployed person with insurance length from 10 to 19 years (included) will receive unemployment benefit for the last three months in the amount of 45 lats per month but not more than 50 % from the allocated unemployment benefit.
- State Social Insurance Agency shall take over the administration of long service pension for the Ministry of Interior, public prosecutors, diplomats, Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, Ministry of Culture and judges, including also special premium to old-age pension administration to those who have served in Latvian Police and Latvian Border Guard Brigade and whose service was interrupted by Latvia's annexation to USSR.
- Disability Law comes into force. It provides that:
- until the age of 18 disability is set without division into groups, i.e. status of child's disability shall be set until the age of 18 instead of current 16;
- predictable disability is determined and persons with predictable disability shall have priority rights to receive medical as well as social and vocational rehabilitation services paid from the state budget according to the individual rehabilitation plan;
- state-paid psychologist consultations shall be provided to a child and his parents in families where child has disability established for the first time. Coordination of psychologist's service shall be carried out by social service in the local municipality;
- persons with the visual disability group I who do not receive state benefit for the disabled and who need care shall receive a benefit for providing an assistant 10 hours per week. Above mentioned benefit shall be paid in the amount of 12 lats per one week by State Employment Agency.
- Family (persons) is recognised as needy if its average household income per each family member per month does not exceed 90 lats during the last 3 months. Determining the conformity to the status of a needy family (person) the duration of owning a single car will not be evaluated. Social service in its turn will be able to evaluate family's (person's) material condition once again if family's (person's) material and social situation changes considerably.
- Minimum monthly wage for 40-hour work week shall be 200 lats while minimum hourly tariff rate - 1.189 lats.
- Ministry of Welfare will take over from Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government the function of implementation of Social Security Network Strategy supervision and monitoring.
Information prepared by:
Marika Kupče, Head of Communication Department, 67021666, 29538825, marika.kupce@lm.gov.lv.
The Ministry of Welfare informs that the Regulation No883/2004 of coordination for social security systems (Regulation No883/2004), established on 29 April 2004 by the European Parliament and the European Council, as well as the Regulation No987/2009 established on 16 September 2009, that defines the procedure of application for the Regulation No883/2004, will come into effect on May 1, 2010.
We remind that since Latvia has joined the European Union (EU), on 1 May 2004, the social security systems` coordination was performed in accordance with the Council Regulation No1408/71 of social security schemas` application to employees, self employed persons and their family members, who are migrating within a territory of the Community (Regulation No1408/71).
The Regulation No1408/71 has been amended and updated for several times in order to take into consideration not only the changes at EU level, but also the changes at legislations of member states. As a result, the rules of coordination tended to become too long and complicated. Such consideration raised necessity to simplify and update the coordination of the social security systems.
The basic principles of coordination rules protect the persons that are migrating within the territory of EU and European Economic Area (EEA) member states. The aims of migration can be different - tourism, inception of new employment relationships, etc. The Regulation provides that a person can be concurrently insured only in one member state of EU/EEA and an equal attitude in the field of social security must be guarantied to all individuals. In order to determine the rights for the services e.g. pensions and benefits, the member states have to sum up the periods of insurance that are saved in all member states of EU/EEA, as well as have to provide the export of these benefits. For example, if a person, that gets a pension from Latvia, wishes to move towards another member state of EU/EEA, the pension will be transferred to the bank account of his/her new residence. This process is called as export of pension.
The Regulation No883/2004 retains all basic principles of coordination mentioned above. The innovations are related to the persons, the determination of the applicable legislations, if a person is employed in several member states of EU/EEA at the same time, to the terms of employees secondment and unemployment benefit export period, to the transfers in kind of health insurance in EU/EEA etc. One of the essential features of the coordination modernization is the EU/EEA member states` transition to the electronic exchange of information. This must be provided fully by the member states till 1 May 2012, thereby greatly improving and hastening the allocation of services.
The Ministry of Welfare indicates that Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland will apply the Regulation No883/2004 after conclusion of the contract with EU for application of the new legislations. Heretofore, regarding these countries, the competent institutions will continue to apply the provisions of the Regulation No1408/71.
In Latvia there are two competent institutions that provides allocation of the services in accordance with the Regulation No883/2004: State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) and Health Payment Centre (HPC).
More information about changes and allocation of services after 1 May 2010 can be found on the websites accordingly the competence of the institutions. The information about allocation of pensions and benefits can be found on the website of SSIA www.vsaa.lv, and the information about the health care institution can be found on the website of HPC www.vnc.gov.lv.
Information prepared by:
Ilona Jurševska, Head of Communication department, 67021665, 26110065, ilona.jursevska@lm.gov.lv,
Marika Kupče, Public Relations Specialist, 67021666, 29538825, marika.kupce@lm.gov.lv.
The parents benefit for children, born in the period till May 2, 2010, is paid 50% of the allocated benefit amount to one of the parents, who is being employed during a period of leave for child care. The Ministry of Welfare reminds that for children, born after May 2, 2010, the parents benefit will be allocated only to those parents, who are on child care leave and do not get incomes as employees or self-employed persons.
It is identified by amendments of the low About insurance of maternity and sickness, established on 16 June 2009. As it is stated by the law that the alterations are related to the children that are born 306 days after the law of July 1, 2009 coming into effect, thereby this rule comes into force on May 3, 2010.
If a child is born till May 2, 2010 and the recipient of parents benefit is also working during the child care leave, this person will receive the parents benefit, that is 50% of the allocated benefit amount, until child reaches one year of age, i.e. also after May 3, 2010.
We remind that parents benefit is allocated in the amount of 70% of mother's or father's average insurance premium salary. Currently, there is no maximum limit set for this benefit, and it is similar to the salary that person gets "in hand" after paying tax. Moreover, the minimum amount of state family benefit is 63 LVL for socially insured parents.
The reason of state parents benefit allocation is the application of benefit claimant and a child birth certificate. The claim for benefit allocation can be submitted in any department of State Social Insurance Agency.
Furthermore, the state family benefit for children born after May 2, 2010, will be allocated only from one year of age.
It is identified by amendments of June 16, 2009 of State social benefits low.
We remind that in the period from 1 July 2009 till 31 December 2012 the amount of state family benefit is 8 LVL per month for each child.
The state family benefit is allocated only to one of parents, guardian or the actual carer of child, who is identified by decision of custody court (parish court). The benefit is allocated to each child, who is 1 till 15 years old, or is older than 15 and is studying in the general or the professional educational institution and is not married. In this case the benefit is allocated for period of time while a child is attending an educational institution but not longer than till the day when he/she becomes 19 years old and gets married.
The benefit is not allocated to the child who has joined the professional education programmes and gets scholarship accordingly the number of funded persons by state or self-government.
Information prepared by:
Ilona Jurševska, Head of Communication Department, 67021665, 26110065, ilona.jursevska@lm.gov.lv,
Marika Kupče, Public Relations Specialist, 67021666, 29538825, marika.kupce@lm.gov.lv.
Benefits, amount of benefits in 2010
| The type of benefit | The amount set in 2009 | Changes in 2010 | ||
| State social benefits | ||||
| Child birth benefit | 269 LVL as well as the supplement for every child | In the period till 4 April 2010 - 269 LVL and the supplement After 4 April 2010 - 269 LVL | ||
| Child care benefit | 50 LVL for child care till he/she reaches age of one year to unemployed parents; 30 LVL for child care from 1 till 2 years of age. Supplement of care for twins or for more children born in the same birth giving till 1 year - 50 LVL per month for second and every next child. Supplement of care for twins or for more children born in the same birth giving from 1 till 2 years - 30 LVL per month for every child.
| 50 LVL for child care till he/she reaches age of one year to unemployed parents;
30 LVL for child care from 1 till 2 years of age. Supplement of care for twins or for more children born in the same birth giving till 1 year - 50 LVL per month for second and every next child. Supplement of care for twins or for more children born in the same birth giving from 1 till 2 years - 30 LVL per month for every child.
| ||
| State family benefit | In the period from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2012 - 8 LVL per month For child born till June 30, 2009 or within 306 days from July 1, 2009 the state family benefit is allocated and granted till the day when child reaches age of one year. | In the period from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2012 - 8 LVL per month For children born after May 2, 2010 the benefit is allocated after he/she reaches age of one year. | ||
| The disabled child care benefit | 150 LVL per month | 150 LVL per month | ||
| Benefit to a disabled person requiring special care | 100 LVL per month | 100 LVL per month | ||
| Supplement to the state family benefit for a disabled child | 75 LVL per month | 75 LVL per month | ||
| Benefit for a child under the custody | 32 LVL per month (for every child) | 32 LVL per month (for every child) | ||
| Consideration for performing custodian's duties | 38 LVL per month | 38 LVL per month | ||
| Consideration for performing foster family's duties | 80 LVL per month | 80 LVL per month | ||
| Consideration for care of a ward | 35 LVL per month | 35 LVL per month | ||
| Consideration for adoption | 1000 LVL | 1000 LVL | ||
| The state social insurance benefit | Generally - 45 LVL per month
For persons disabled since childhood - 75 LVL per month | Generally - 45 LVL per month
For persons disabled since childhood - 75 LVL per month | ||
| Allowance for compensation of the transport expenses to the disabled persons with hindered mobility | 56 LVL for every complete period of 6 months | 56 LVL for every complete period of 6 months | ||
| State social benefit for the liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident or for his family | 60 LVL per month | 60 LVL per month | ||
| State special benefit for children of the persons fallen during the Period of Revival of Latvia's Independence | In the double amount of state social insurance benefit - in 2009 - 90 LVL per month | In the double amount of state social insurance benefit - in 2010 - 90 LVL per month | ||
| Social insurance benefits | ||||
| Maternity benefit | 100% of the person's average insurance premium salary | In the period from 3 November 2010 - 80% of the person's average insurance premium salary. In the period from 3 November 2010 - if the benefit amount exceeds 11,51 LVL per day, the maximum amount of payable benefit per day - 11,51 Ls + 50% of the sum over 11,51 LVL. | ||
| Paternity benefit | 100% of the person's average insurance premium salary | In the period from 3 November 2010 - 80% of the person's average insurance premium salary. In the period from 3 November 2010 - if the benefit amount exceeds 11,51 LVL per day, the maximum amount of payable benefit per day - 11,51 LVL + 50% of the sum over 11,51 LVL. | ||
| Sickness benefit | In the period of 1 July 2009 the sickness benefit is paid for 26 weeks if the person is sick continuously If the person is sick for several times - no longer than 52 weeks during the period of three years The amount of the benefit is 80% of person's average insurance premium salary | In the period from 1 January 2010 -if the amount of the benefit exceeds 11,51 LVL per day, the maximum amount of payable benefit per day - 11,51 LVL + 50% of the sum over 11,51 LVL.
80% of person's average insurance premium salary | ||
| Unemployment benefit | The amount depends on the service period: 1) service period from 1to 9 years : 50% of the average insurance premium salary 2) service period from 10 to 19 years: 55% of the average insurance premium salary 3) service period from 20 to 29 years: 60% of the average insurance premium salary 4) service period above 30 years: 65% of the average insurance premium salary
| In the period from 1 January, 2010 - if according to the law the amount of counted benefit exceeds 11,51 LVL per day, the maximum amount of the payable benefit in a calendar day is: 11,51 LVL + 50% of the calculated sum over 11,51 LVL The amount depends on the service period: 5) service period from 1to 9 years : 50% of the average insurance premium salary 6) service period from 10 to 19 years: 55% of the average insurance premium salary 7) service period from 20 to 29 years: 60% of the average insurance premium salary 8) service period above 30 years: 65% of the average insurance premium salary
| ||
| Parents benefit
| 70% of the person's average insurance premium salary but not less than 63 LVL per month | For children born till May 2, 2010, one of the parents who will actually work during the children care period, will be paid 50% of the allocated parents benefit For the children born in the period from 3 May 2010, only the parents who during the child care period will be on leave for child care and thus do not receive any income from his/her status of an employee or self-employed will receive the parents benefit For the children born in the period after 2 November 2010 - if the calculated amount of benefit exceeds 11,51 LVL per day, the maximum amount of the payable benefit per day- 11,51 LVL + 50% of the sum over 11,51 LVL
| ||
| Funeral benefit | In the case of death of the insured person - in the double amount of the monthly average insurance premium salary of the dead insured; In the case of death of person receiving unemployment benefit - in the triple amount of state social insurance benefit; In the case of death of a family member supported by insured person - in the triple amount of state social insurance benefit; In the case of death of a pensioner - in the amount of two pensions of the dead; In the case of death of a person receiving the state social insurance benefit - in the double amount of the state social insurance benefit; In the case of death of person receiving benefit of loss of work ability - in the double amount of the benefit of the dead; In 2009 the amount of the state social insurance benefit is 45 LVL, for invalids since childhood - 75 LVL.
| In the case of death of the insured person - in the double amount of the monthly average insurance premium salary of the dead insured; In the case of death of person receiving unemployment benefit - in the triple amount of state social insurance benefit; In the case of death of a family member supported by insured person - in the triple amount of state social insurance benefit; In the case of death of a pensioner - in the amount of two pensions of the dead; In the case of death of a person receiving the state social insurance benefit - in the double amount of the state social insurance benefit; In the case of death of person receiving benefit of loss of work ability - in the double amount of the benefit of the dead; In 2010 the amount of the state social insurance benefit is 45 LVL, for invalids since childhood - 75 LVL.
| ||
| Benefit of loss of work ability | The amount of benefit is assigned by percentage from the monthly average insurance premium salary in the fallowing amounts: In the amount of 80% - if loss of work ability is 100% In the amount of 75% - if loss of work ability is 90-99% In the amount of 70% -if loss of work ability is 80-89% In the amount of 65% - if loss of work ability is 70-79% In the amount of 60% - if loss of work ability is 60-69% In the amount of 55% - if loss of work ability is 50-59% In the amount of 50% - if loss of work ability is 40-49% In the amount of 45% - if loss of work ability is 30-39% In the amount of 35% - if loss of work ability is 20-29% In the amount of 30% - if loss of work ability is 15-24% In the amount of 15% - if loss of work ability is 10-14% | The amount of benefit is assigned by percentage from the monthly average insurance premium salary in the fallowing amounts: In the amount of 80% - if loss of work ability is 100% In the amount of 75% - if loss of work ability is 90-99% In the amount of 70% -if loss of work ability is 80-89% In the amount of 65% - if loss of work ability is 70-79% In the amount of 60% - if loss of work ability is 60-69% In the amount of 55% - if loss of work ability is 50-59% In the amount of 50% - if loss of work ability is 40-49% In the amount of 45% - if loss of work ability is 30-39% In the amount of 35% - if loss of work ability is 20-29% In the amount of 30% - if loss of work ability is 15-24% In the amount of 15% - if loss of work ability is 10-14% From January 1, 2010 the benefit of loss of work ability assigned to persons, whose loss of work ability is starting from 25% | ||
| Benefit of loss of supporter | The amount of benefit is assigned by percentage from the monthly average insurance premium salary in the fallowing amounts:
for one child - up to 25%, if he/she has become an orphan - up to 40%,
for two children - up to 35%, if orphans - up to 50%,
for three children - up to 45%, if orphans - up to 60%,
for four or more children - up to 55%, if orphans - up to 70%, for other persons being under support (the spouse, parents, etc.) - up to 25% | The amount of benefit is assigned by percentage from the monthly average insurance premium salary in the fallowing amounts:
for one child - up to 25%, if he/she has become an orphan - up to 40%,
for two children - up to 35%, if orphans - up to 50%,
for three children - up to 45%, if orphans - up to 60%,
for four or more children - up to 55%, if orphans - up to 70%, for other persons being under support (the spouse, parents, etc.) - up to 25% | ||
| Harm compensations related to accident at work or occupational disease | The amount depends on the calculated disability pension or the allocated old-age pension instead of disability pension or survivors` pension adjusting the respective coefficient. If only the percentage of loss of work ability are set but the invalidity is not allocated, the harm compensation depends on the state social insurance benefit adjusting the respective coefficient. | The amount depends on the calculated disability pension or the allocated old-age pension instead of disability pension or survivors` pension adjusting the respective coefficient. If only the percentage of loss of work ability are set but the invalidity is not allocated, the harm compensation depends on the state social insurance benefit adjusting the respective coefficient. In the period from 1 January 2010, the harm compensation will be allocated to persons whose loss of work ability is at least 25% | ||
| Compensation for extra expenses and services during the period of treatment related to accident at work or occupational disease
| The total sum for one insurance case can not be higher than amount of twenty-fivefold the state social benefit being into force in the day of the insurance case | The total sum for one insurance case can not be higher than amount of twenty-fivefold the state social benefit being into force in the day of the insurance case | ||
On 28 January 2010 the Saeima has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter - Convention). The Convention will come into force on the thirstiest day after Latvia has submitted the ratification document in the General Assembly of United Nations.
The purpose of the Convention is to promote, to protect and to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. The Convention promotes and protects the rights of persons with disabilities in the economic, social, political, civil and cultural spheres.
The Convention consists of 50 articles providing the observance of equality, elimination of discrimination, protection of women and children with disabilities, provision of availability, development of understanding, accessibility to the justice, the fundamental freedoms and inviolability of the persons.
Considering that out of all the member states of the Europe Union, Latvia was the last one who had not signed the document, in May 2008 the Government was obligated by the Saeima to assure accession to the Convention, and it was signed on 18 July 2008.
The enforcement of the Convention will be coordinated by the Ministry of Welfare but the implementation will be supervised by the Ombudsman's Office.
The Facultative Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities on behalf of the Republic of Latvia was signed on 22 January 2010 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The Protocol provides the possibility for the persons with disabilities, who accounts that the Convention member state is violating the rights proclaimed in the Convention, to submit their statements to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Ministry of Welfare is working actively to facilitate the implementation of undertakings set in the Convention and to fulfill the duties defined in the plan of activities for implementation of the Convention in the period of 2010 - 2012 (approved by the Ordinance No. 693 of October 12, 2009 of the Cabinet of Ministers), for example, several working groups established by the Ministry of Welfare including the representatives of the ministries, the Ombudsman's Office of the Republic of Latvia, social partners, as well as the societies representing the rights of persons with disabilities will start their work in March. The working groups will be considering both the necessity of making amendments in the capacity institute, and the necessity of designing an overall draft plan for a low where the prohibition of all forms of discrimination would be determined, the groups would be also considering the necessity of designing a project of strategies for implementation of the Convention for a period of 2013-2019, the project is aimed to promote the policy's development and implementation of overall protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Ministry of Welfare informs about several relevant changes coming into force from 1 January 2010, implementing the state social policy in areas of labour, social protection, protection of children's rights, children's and family's rights as well as gender equality and equal opportunities of people with disability.
In the period from January 1, 2010:
- The limitation of costs for social insurance benefits is set
For a period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012 both the benefits of unemployed people and sickness benefit are limited, but in the period from 3 November 2010 to 31 December 2012 also the benefits of maternity and paternity are limited on average of 350 lats per month or 11, 51 lats per day adding 50% of the sum, that exceeds the certain limit. The analogical norms will be applied to those parents' benefits, whose children are born after November 2, 2010.
- Supplements to pensions for every year of insurance period saved till December 31, 1995 is now given also to Europe Economy zone Member States citizens receiving pensions of old-age and invalidity.
- For people whose premium salary has not been due to vacation without work payment retention in the period of setting the average insurance premium salary, the amount of 40% of state fixed monthly average insurance premium salaries for the vacation will not be applied anymore.
- The calculation period of the average insurance premium salary will be increased from 6 to 12 months that is being taken as bases to set all the social insurance benefits and compensation amount.
- Reduced amount of both the maternity and paternity benefits
In the period from 3 November 2010 to 21 December 2012 both the maternity and paternity benefits consist of 80% of the person's average insurance premium salary, at the same time following the principle of juridical reliance. It means that the amount of benefits allocated till November 2, 2010 will remain the same according the regulation that was in force while allocated.
- Five state social care canters will start up, and there are included the 33 reorganized state social care canters. They are:
- State social care centre „Kurzeme",
- State social care centre „Latgale",
- State social care centre „Rīga",
- State social care centre „Vidzeme",
- State social care centre „Zemgale".
The reform was aimed to improve the administration of social service field and to centralize support functions in the regional offices.
- The social rehabilitation and provision of the special technical support for eyesight and hearing disabled persons is being delegated to Latvian Society of the Blind and Latvian Association of the Deaf, but the rehabilitation for children at their residence or institutions who have suffered from illegal actions is being delegated to Latvian Children Fund.
- The State Inspectorate for Protection of Children's rights will control the work of Orphan's Court as well as will provide it with the methodical help and will implement events supporting foster families.
- In the period from 4 January 2010 the disability expertise for children till 16 years of age will be performed only in the Riga City 4th Children department accordingly to appointment fixed beforehand. Riga City 4th Children department is located in Rīga, 68 Lielvārdes Str., 1st corps, 4th floor. Before performing the expertise, the appointment fixed beforehand is obligatory by phone: 67598688.
- MF will continue to implement the crisis events for the employment facilitation thereby involving up to 40 000 persons in the employment activities, including the persons with low incomes.
- Simplified accounting and registration system of accidents as well as reduced amount of documentation which have to be filled by employers;
- More precise requirements are set for microclimate and lighting of working environment accordingly to the place and field of work.
Plans for 2010:
- To start the new activity for adolescents - work practice by employer
In the frames of Complex support activities the adolescents from 18 till 24 years of age will be involved in the project of Europe Social Fund that would give an opportunity for unemployed - adolescents to get their first working experience (period of work practice is from 6 till 12 months);
- To start implementation of the event - provision of the Training programs involving adults in lifelong education
In order to facilitate the availability of lifelong education, the employed and self-employed persons over 25 years of age (excluding the persons working at state civil service), who are working normal working hours, will have a possibility to apply for programs of informal education and professional improvement, using the method of training coupons with the maximum value of 250 lats, depending on field of training and other conditions. It is planned to start the activity in the first quarter of 2010 (currently the changes of the accordant regulations are being considered);
- to start up the implementation of professional higher education programs at first and second level - obtaining Professional higher education by coupons system
The maximum sum of coupons is 1000 lats, during the training period the participants get a scholarship of 70 lats per month (18 months are the maximum period of participation in this activity). For this activity can apply the unemployed persons, who have discontinued their professional education at the first or second level at least one year before the activity has started. In 2010 it is planned to get involved 350 unemployed persons with the higher education or uncompleted higher education. The earliest training period to apply for will be the 2nd semester of academic year 2009/2010. A person can apply for the coupons in the period from 16 November till 18 December 2009.
Information prepared by:
Ilona Jurševska, Manager of the Communcation Department, 67021665, 26110065, ilona.jursevska@lm.gov.lv,
Marika Kupče, Public Reltions expert, 67021666, 29538825, marika.kupce@lm.gov.lv
Ministry of Welfare (MW) informs that public transport will continue to be free of charge for people with disabilities till the Disability Law comes into force.
It means that after 1 September 2009 and further on the public transport will continue to be free of charge for people with disability of group 1 and 2, for disabled children and for persons assisting a disabled child or a person with the group 1 disability.
This is stated also in the Article 14 of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers about the categories of passengers eligible for fare discounts in the network routes. The Article reads that until the abovementioned Law comes into force, the public passenger transport in urban, regional intercity and regional local routes is free of charge for people with disability of group 1 and 2, for disabled children and for persons assisting a disabled child or a person with the group 1 disability.
Reducing the discounts is in contradiction with the Law on Medical and Social Protection of the Disabled Persons and draft Disability Law already adopted by the Saeima in the 2nd reading. Also the international agreement Convention on Rights of the Persons with Disability provides the access to the physical environment, objects and services.
MW presently can not accept the situation that the public transport fare discounts could be reduced for the abovementioned groups of persons.
Reminder: the government has accepted the amendments to the regulations providing cancellation of the public transport fare discounts for children with intellectual or physical disabilities who attend special education institutions, special education classes or general education institutions.
Similarly, further discounts are cancelled for pupils of classes 1 to 12 who live outside city borders.
MW points out that the abovementioned amendments will lower the quality of life for the children permanently living in the institutions of social care by limiting their possibilities to attend the institutions of care or education and others, and by jeopardizing their inclusion into society.
Information prepared by:
Ilona Jurševska, Manager of the Communcation Department, 67021665, 26110065, ilona.jursevska@lm.gov.lv,
Liene Zvereva, Public Reltions expert, 67021666, 26519920, liene.zvereva@lm.gov.lv