EPSU Congress sends message of support to Latvian public service works facing wage cuts of 50%

(10 June 2009, Brussels) The 8th Congress of the European Federation of Public Service Union – EPSU, taking place in Brussels from 8-11 June, utterly condemns the plans of the Latvian government to reduce the salaries of Latvian public sector workers by 50%.

The EPSU Congress expresses its outrage with this unilaterally imposed austerity measure, for public sector workers, whose income levels already lack behind those of other economic sectors. This salary cut would threaten the livelihoods of thousands of public sector workers and their families.

Functioning public services and decently paid public sector workers are needed now more than ever to counteract the social consequences of the economic crisis.

"We urgently call on the Latvian government to restrain from taking this action and demand that they enter negotiations with public sector union in Latvia", the statement read.

All of the 255 EPSU affiliates give their full support to the Latvian trade union movement in their protest actions. The Congress delegates denounced these arbitrary measures and called for an alternative policy response negotiated between social partners.