At the end of 2018 Latvia’s State Employment Agency (SEA) focused on the category of unemployed people older than 50. These people accounted for 40.5% of all unemployed people in Latvia, according to the agency’s 2018 report.
Long-term unemployed people were also SEA’s focus last year. These people account for 25.1% of all unemployed people in the country.
SEA notes that in a situation when there is a shortage of labor force, the overall situation becomes much worse for long-term unemployed people. The total number of registered unemployed people has declined in all groups. Nevertheless, the total ratio of unemployed people put in at a disadvantage continues increasing, SEA admits.
The agency explains that long-term unemployed people are subjected to a slower return to the market. This is why SEA actively works with employers, municipalities, social services, and NGOs to ensure people’s return to the labor market.
The report also mentions that, considering the continue ageing of society, the matter of extending employment period by means of acquiring necessary skills across one’s life becomes all the more important.
Last year SEA organized seminars together with different organizations to search and offer solutions for different labour market situations associated with ageing of workers, health problems and modern needs for appropriate skills and training. Other activities were performed to resolve problems associated with ageing.
12,090 long-term unemployed people found jobs last year. A total of 16,352 unemployed people older than 50% or 34% of the total number found jobs after finishing some active employment activity. (BNN/Business World Magazine)