(15 March, Latvia) Valdis Keris, Chairman of Latvian health union LVSADA and EPSU Campaign Coordinator in Latvia, gave the following update on activity under the EPSU ’Quality public services - quality of life’ banner.

The LVSADA was on picket in Riga on March 8, calling for increase of salaries and improvement of working conditions of social workers working in social care and assistance. The survey of the LVSADA revealed that 98% of employees in social care sector in Riga City are women and 49% of them are main bread-winners in their families. "Our social workers are standing for social peace", said Mr. Keris, "therefore, the LVSADA is calling on the Riga City Council to make an appropriate changes in the budget and increase the salaries of social workers. It is time to encourage people who deliver very important public services".

On March 20, LVSADA will issue a renewed call to actively collect signatures for the Petition for high-quality public services (www.petitionpublicservice.eu)

Valdis Keris demonstrating in Riga on 8 March