Latvian EPSU affiliate LVSADA receives Silver Rose Award 2011

(20 January Brussels) The Latvian Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees (LVSADA), the biggest health and social care trade union in Latvia and EPSU affiliate will be given one of the SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards 2011. With this award SOLIDAR, a European network of 52 Non Governmental Organisations, active in over 90 countries working to advance social justice in Europe and worldwide, wants to raise awareness and public support for LVSADA’s fight against the cuts in Latvian health care services imposed by the Latvian government.

Recently, the union has submitted a petition to the European Ombudsman with over 54.000 signatures, drawing attention to the threats the Latvian health system is currently exposed to, with dramatic consequences for both patients and health care workers. The petition states that the situation in Latvia does not comply with article 35 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights whereby “Everyone has the right of access to preventive health care and the right to benefit from medical treatment under the conditions established by national laws and practices. A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities.”

Now in their 11th year, the SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards honour individuals and organisations whose extraordinary struggles contribute to social justice and solidarity. This year’s awards ceremony, hosted by Véronique de Keyser S & D MEP, will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels on 1 March. EPSU will join LVSADA at the ceremony and use this occasion as well to express support to all affiliates fighting cuts and austerity measures. Solidarity and support is crucial in the struggle for an adequately funded public health system, decent conditions of work and pay, collective labour rights as the basis for an effective social dialogue in all European countries.

For more information contact: Pablo Sanchez, [email protected] , 00 32 (0) 4 74 62 66 33