Latvian bureaucracy is UNBELIEVABLE

Oct 15, 2009

Dear TBT,

I have now lived in rural Latvia just over 4 years. It never ceases to astonish me how simple transactions can become so complicated. Please can anyone explain why one must: Sign, write names and date THREE time on one A4 page.

Why am I asked to produce identification for a cash purchase of over 250 lats.
With the recent increase in thefts and even less police attendance, I am more and more security conscious. A few weeks ago my wife, 2 month old baby & I had to go to Liepaja, 35km from my stud farm. As I no longer have any staff due to thefts & alcohol abuse, I decided to approach our local Social Services Officer to suggest someone to stand guard on my property for one day only. She directed me to a house where a man in a wheel chair lives.

As he was intoxicated, his neighbor came over, a married man in his mid 20's. After I explained I was looking for someone to stand guard over my house for one day only, he replied that he was unemployed and would be happy to do this.
He arrived at 9 a.m. the next day. I left him lunch and said his only task was to ensure nobody came onto my property. Keep his eyes on my horses as vandals often maliciously broke the fences or open the gates. If he liked he could walk around and make minor repairs to the wood fences with a hammer & some nails.

On our return, some 5 hours later, I paid him 5 Ls & gave him two packs of cigarettes he had requested.

Today…. I received an "Administrativa parkapuma protokola Nr.009041."
This is a summons to answer why I employed a man for one day without having a written work agreement in place prior to his commencement. FOR ONE DAY'S WORK!!!! On the farm.

In a telephone call to the Work Inspector, I asked, "If I am to go and help my neighbor pick potatoes, should he give me a work contract?" She replied no. "If I am to get a local person to clean my horse stables for one day, should I give a work contract?", she replied Yes.

Is this for real??? I ask other readers… Where is the logic, as I will now avoid any casual employment.

William Mullins.
Liepaja Raj.

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