Labour Inspection Structure and Organization

Name of institution that manages work issues

The Ministry of Welfare is the leading institution of the state administration in the areas of labour, social security, children's and family rights as well as gender equality and equal rights for people with disabilities

Department(s) responsible for Labour Inspection

The State Labour Inspectorate (SLI) (Valsts darba inspekcija) is the authority responsible for the enforcement of labour law including both general working conditions and occupational safety and health. It is subordinate to the Ministry of Welfare.

Law that covers organization and functional composition

• Law on State Labour Inspection, adopted 19 June 2008.

Scope of labour inspection

Labour inspectors are responsible for enforcing labour law related to general working conditions and occupational safety and health as well as any obligations derived from individual employment contracts and/or collective agreements. Inspectors must also provide advice to employers and workers on how to comply with national legislation. There are also labour inspectors who are responsible for combating illegal employment.

Local divisions

The State Labour Inspectorate has its headquarters in Riga and there are five additional regional labour inspection offices (Kurzeme, Latgale, Riga, Vidzeme, Zemgale).

Programming and communication

Labour inspection activities are planned according to the priorities set out in national action plans, including the Basic Guidelines for 2008 – 2013 and Activity Plan for Decrease of Unregistered Employment for 2010 -2013.

Human Resources and career development

Permanency of inspectors

Labour inspectors are civil servants protected against dismissal.

Background required

Labour inspectors have degrees in engineering, natural sciences, health and work safety or law.

When labour inspectors are appointed they receive 200 hours in training.

There are also annual training schedules for labour inspectors organised by the Latvian School of Public Administration and by various training service enterprises.

Visits and functions

Types of visits

Labour inspectors carry out both programmed visits and visits initiated through complaints.

Role of preventive measures

The State Labour inspection organises specific campaigns in different sectors regarding occupational safety and health.

Planning of labour inspection visits

Sectors with high risk of unregistered unemployment are prioritised. Thematic campaigns are also organised, specifically in the woodworking, fishing, fish processing and fish preservation, bakery and construction industries.

Registries and reporting of accidents/diseases at work

The Labour Inspectorate registers all accidents at work.

The Central Statistical Bureau has a register of companies operating in the country.

Sanction and administrative processes

Labour inspectors can issue fines to employers for violations of the requirements of legal acts on labour relationships and OHS. Inspectors first issue oral warnings and if the employers do not correct the identified deficiencies then an administrative fine is imposed.

ILO Conventions ratified

Latvia ratified Convention No. 81 and Convention No. 129 in 1994.