Health

Latvia passes law to allow private sector to dismiss unvaccinated employees

Riga, Latvia – The Latvian parliament on Thursday voted in favor of a law that allows the private sector to dismiss employees who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Under the amended law, which will come into force immediately, if a private enterprise is unable to transfer an unvaccinated employee to another suitable position or ensure that the employee can work from home, the employer will have the right to suspend the employee without pay until they obtain a Covid-19 certificate.

The parliament also voted in favor of a law that allows for the public sector to terminate contracts of employees who do not hold a Covid-19 certificate.

This summer, a similar bill allowing dismissal of non-vaccinated employees in the private sector was withdrawn from the Saeima, with politicians fearing opposition from the general public including demonstrations.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Riga in August and September this year in anti-vaccination demonstrations. EFE

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