RSU Supports Demands of the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees

To draw attention to the long-standing underfunding of the education sector, the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (Latvijas izglītības un zinātnes darbinieku arodbiedrība, LIZDA) will organise a protest in Riga on Monday, 24 April. The Rectors' Council and the Student Union of Latvia have expressed their support for the initiative by LIZDA.

Support for the protest march organised by LIZDA was discussed during a Rector’s Office meeting on Monday, 17 April. The Rector’s Office was understanding of the students' and lecturers' desire to participate in the protest, advocating support of the education sector and reiterating that the Latvian authorities have long undervalued both the role and contribution that higher education can make to the development of human resources and economic growth. LIZDA's efforts to improve the working conditions of employees in education and science are in the interest of society. It is a necessary step to ensure that pupils, students, and society have access to quality education at all levels – from pre-school and elementary education to universities and lifelong learning. State funding for higher education in Latvia lags far behind that of other European countries, which makes it difficult for Latvian universities to compete internationally. State budget funding for higher education here is still lower than it was in 2008 before the financial crisis.

Heads of Departments are invited to respect the wishes of the teaching staff and students to participate in the protest and, if necessary, to find ways of rescheduling individual work commitments so that the quality of the study and research process is not compromised. Those lecturers who are planning to join the protest are obliged to coordinate this in advance with their immediate superiors.