How hard is it for the unemployed to find a job in Latvia?
In June 2021, there were 72.6 thousand unemployed in Latvia, according to the data of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). According to the data of the State Employment Agency, in June there were only about 20 thousand vacancies in Latvia.
The actual unemployment rate in Latvia had dropped to 7.8% in June, and the registered unemployment rate to 7.4%. Both actual and registered unemployment rates in June are slightly lower than in May and a year ago. CSB data show that the unemployment rate for women in June increased by 0.1 percentage points to 7.4%, but for men, it remained unchanged at 8.3%.
In June 2021, there were 72.6 thousand unemployed in Latvia (33.5 thousand women and 39.1 thousand men). The total number of unemployed has not changed since May, but the number of unemployed women has increased by about 100 and the number of men has decreased by about 200. Compared to the corresponding period last year, when the first state of emergency was declared three months before, the number of unemployed has decreased by 11.3 thousand. Since the declaration of the second state of emergency in November 2020, when a number of face-to-face services were restricted, the number of unemployed has fallen by about 3,000.
At the same time, tensions remain in the labor market, with employers worried about labor shortages and workers complaining that they cannot find suitable employment. Strawberry growers lamented that this year half of the crop remained in the field because there was no one to pick the ripe berries.
Currently, two companies in Latvia are looking for several hundred employees at once.
The staff of the biscuit factory will be trained in Sweden
Orkla Biscuit Production has launched a campaign to attract employees to the modern Selga biscuit and waffle factory. It is planned that already in 2022 the new biscuit and waffle factory will start operating in Ādaži, creating a total of about 250 new jobs.
“We are really proud to start the next important stage in the establishment of the new biscuit and waffle competence center here in Latvia, starting the process of attracting employees. The new factory will be a modern, advanced workplace for both experienced and young professionals. Here they will have the opportunity to work with the most modern technologies, be a part of a sustainable and responsible company, which is reflected in the company's management, production processes and care for employees,” emphasizes Toms Didrihsons, Chairman of the Board of SIA Orkla Biscuit Production and SIA Orkla Latvija.
The Orkla Biscuit Production team is looking for more than 250 professionals in various positions in administration, production and logistics. The company invites food technologists, shift managers, production line operators, product packers, production planners, quality specialists, technical specialists, logistics and transport specialists, warehouse employees to join. For example, the gross salary of a quality controller is promised from 750 to 810 euros + bonuses for night work, food technologists - from 1300 to 1600 euros per month, the brand manager - from 1600 to 2000 euros per month.
The selection of personnel will take place in several stages, the first employees are planned to be hired in October, forming a working group that will go to the Swedish factory for training and participate in the knowledge transfer process.
"The new factory is a promising place for both experienced professionals and those who are at the beginning of their careers. It is important for us to work as a team, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. In our employees, we value flexibility, loyalty, openness to the new, technical thinking and understanding of technical processes. At present, we invite those who have experience in production and who are ready to acquire new skills to join our team, thus supplementing the competence of the whole team. In turn, we will provide stable remuneration, training necessary for the job, as well as promote growth and offer career development opportunities. By becoming a part of our team, everyone has the opportunity to be global locally, to improve by doing, as well as to find like-minded people,” emphasizes Sandra Zālamane, Personnel Manager of SIA Orkla Biscuit Production.
Lidl is still looking for employees for stores that have not yet been opened
At the beginning of June, Lidl announced several hundred new vacancies throughout Latvia. Store employee vacancies are offered in new stores in Riga and Daugavpils, as well as in other Lidl stores to expand existing employee teams.
In preparation for the opening of its stores in Latvia, Lidl created more than 1,000 new jobs throughout the country last year. These workers are currently continuing their training to serve store customers to the highest standards when the epidemiological situation improves.
The company offers full-time and part-time, as well as fixed-term employment contract options, so that everyone can find the most suitable amount of work. Lidl emphasizes that the remuneration they offer is higher than the average offered in the industry, and that it is paid for every minute worked. Lidl Latvija also guarantees each employee a health insurance policy after the end of the three-month probation period. Those who want to work do not need experience in retail, because the company provides fully paid training.
Lidl is looking for, for example, a social media specialist (gross salary from 1400 to 1600 euros), property management administrative consultant (salary from 1700 to 2000 euros), as well as store employees in Tukums, Valmiera, Liepāja, Jelgava, Jēkabpils (salary at least 5.40 euros per hour before taxes), in Riga (salary at least 6 euros per hour before taxes). Last year as well, when announcing the application for the first vacancies in stores, salaries were promised the same - in Riga stores, starting from 6 euros per hour before taxes, outside Riga - starting from 5.40 euros per hour before taxes.