Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi

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favourable conditions for investment and thus development, as they
generally have better infrastructures, qualified labour, access to manifold
services, etc.
Growth of personal income is very uneven, polarisation of material well-being
is increasing. Average disposable income per household member in 2000
equalled to 69.19 LVL. The lowest disposable income still is in households in
Latgale – by 29% lower than average in Latvia.
Trying to find a long-term solution for poverty elimination the government in
2000 approved the Strategy for Poverty Eradication. The Strategy sets the task
to improve quality of life of poor people and people with low income level and
till 2015 to bring down the share of poor people to 10% of the total Latvian
population. The basic benchmarks for poverty eradication were adopted,
defining tasks and measures in the areas of economy, employment, regional
development and social welfare.
In February 2000 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the concept developed by
the Ministry of Welfare – “On Minimum Income Guarantees for Poor People”
to ensure all people a guaranteed and uniform for the whole state minimum
level of income of 21 LVL (initially). This provision is also included in the
draft law “On Social Services and Social Assistance”, which is being reviewed
by Saeima (Parliament of Latvia). The draft law also outlines principles of
social work, social care and rehabilitation and rules for granting and receiving
social assistance.
REGIONAL POLICY IN LATVIA
Historically Latvia was divided into four regions (Vidzeme, Kurzeme,
Zemgale and Latgale), each characterised by specific ethnic and economic
peculiarities. At the moment the Latvian administration is divided into about
594 local authorities on two levels:
1. 26 districts (rajoni) and 7 republic cities;
2. 70 cities and towns and 491 rural communities (pagasti).
Although Latvia is a relatively small country, there are considerable
differences between regions. These regional disparities are mainly evident in