RIGA - The integration of Latvia's minorities into the larger society passes time very slowly. Many politicians note the ineffective expenditure of funds on corresponding programs. Alexander Kirshteins wonders "whether various programs on integration would have been much more successful, if the government of Latvia had concluded the contract with Russia on providing real help to the people who have lost their way, in the strange cultural and geopolitical space. Only 70 families from Latvia have reacted to Putin's appeal to return to Russia. This because there is not enough money spent for repatriation."
After closing the Secretary on Integration Affairs office, most processes for integration have stopped completely. Legal experts have conducted research of the integration matter. Their results show that there are more than 80 separate 'distinctions' on the rights between citizens and resident aliens in Latvia. The greatest are distinctions in the area of employment. Non'scitizens cannot work as firemen, private detectives, aircraft maintenance specialists, aircraft pilots. They also cannot get a license for work in a pharmacy, or veterinary pharmacy. There is a ban for non-citizens to work as lawyers or legal assistants in Latvia.
There has been a drastic fall-off in numbers of non-citizens working towards citizenship. The total number to have received citizenship, since the beginning of the process of naturalization, is 126,288 persons. This breaks down to, from 1995 's 984; in 1996 's 3,016; in 1997 's 2,992; in 1998 's 4,439; in 1999 's 12,427; in 2000 's 14,900; in 2001 's 10,637; in 2002 's 9,844; in 2003 's 10,049; in 2004 's 16,064; in 2005 's 19,169; in 2006 's 16,439; in 2007 's 6,826; in 2008 's 3,004; and, from the beginning of 2009 's only 1,158.
"I would like to apply for Latvian citizenship, but then it will be difficult to go to visit my grandmother. She lives in Russia. Basically, citizenship is necessary for voting in elections. In my plans, I will leave Latvia after school; then why should I pass the exam for citizenship?" says student Ksenia.
In 2008, Russia made the unilateral decision that aliens in Latvia can visit Russia without a visa. In turn, the government of Latvia decided to implement a more restrictive system in which strong amendments to the law on usage of the Latvian language are in force. According to the requirements, the level of knowledge for the Latvian language is coordinated with European language documents.
Since September 1, passing the language exam is necessary for three reasons: for employment in Latvia, for a residence permit in Latvia and for receiving the status as a permanent resident of the EU. Considering changes in the legislation, many can now simply lose their job after Sept. 1, 2010.
All employees need to provide to an inspector their certificate of passing the language requirement. Lack of the document could result in a penalty of from 25 lats (35.70 euros) to 50 lats.
Chief of inspection at the State center of maintenance and state language formation Anta Lazareva, says that "Now the big problem is that in applying for citizenship it is necessary to pass the language test for the lowest level. The does not promote high-grade integration. Therefore, the decision was accepted to establish an additional examination on knowledge of the Latvian language."
"I have applied for citizenship some years ago and went for work in a pharmacy. I like this work and have two years until pension age. In the beginning of May our management informed me that by May 1, 2010, I need to provide the certificate of Latvian language knowledge, at the highest category, the third. I was lucky, and registered for the examination at the end of May next year. My colleague has the examination at the end of September, 2010. The inspections will start by September 1, 2010!" complains one non-citizen.
"And what shall people do, if the supervisor suddenly shows up? He will issue the penalty, and people will lose their jobs. It's extortion!" she continues.
Representatives of For Human Rights in a United Latvia party suppose that "The government is looking for ways on how to increase incomes in the budget next year. We have 400,000 non-citizens in Latvia, almost half of them need to pass the exam on the Latvian language. It's a certain kind of repression and discrimination, because Latvians don't need to prove their knowledge. Politicians try to free some work places for Latvians."
