In Latvia they demand to close the border to Ukrainian migrant workers
More than half of labor migrants in Latvia are citizens of Ukraine, whose influx into the country will increase.
Izvestia writes about this, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
It is indicated that as of January 1, 2018, 4006 workers from third countries were registered in Latvia, with 2155 from Ukraine. In addition, there are 201 qualified Ukrainian specialists in the Baltic republic. It is noteworthy that “the former travel alone (more than 2 thousand single men and women brought with them only 156 family members), and the latter travel in pairs or families (201 invitees and 208 family members).”
Moreover, the arrival of Ukrainians occurs against the backdrop of ongoing depopulation in Latvia itself, where after gaining independence there were 2,7 million people, and today there are less than two million.
“Demographers' forecasts do not give reasons for optimism - by 2050, less than 1,5 million people will live in Latvia. According to the latest census, 21% of dwellings are empty. Experts often talk about the effect of time standing still - cities, buildings, streets remain, but people are gone,” the publication notes.
Political scientist, regional vice-president of the Alliance for European Democracy Normund Grostins says that the influx of Ukrainians and Slavs in general into the country cannot be stopped.
“Lithuania and Latvia are becoming more Slavic states. Communication between Latvia and Lithuania and Ukraine will pass through the territory of Belarus. An influx of guest workers is also expected given the relatively peaceful development of events in Ukraine. Otherwise there will be many more refugees. There is not the slightest reason to think that this will somehow stop,” the publication quotes the expert’s opinion.
But local nationalists are categorically against it. In particular, Seimas deputy from the National Association Janis Dombrava proposes to introduce criminal liability for facilitating immigration.
“We will not allow guest workers to be brought in, forget about it. Current supporters of immigration are no different from Soviet ones. In fact, many of them are former communists who are disgusted by the fact that Latvia is independent and growing stronger,” Dombrava said.
The newspaper notes that it is the position of the nationalists that still prevents the employment of Ukrainians in Latvia, since the same National Association is one of the three parties forming a coalition in the current convocation of the Sejm and ensuring the stability of the government.
English version :: Read in English In Latvia they demand to close the border to Ukrainian migrant workers