Background information

On 3 March 2022, the Latvian Parliament Saeima adopted the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians. The purpose of the Law is to provide assistance to Ukrainian civilians who leave Ukraine or who cannot return to Ukraine due to the armed conflict caused by the Russian Federation. The assistance specified in the Law is provided during the course of the armed conflict. Since it was introduced, the Law has been amended several times.

Article 12 of the Law stipulates the obligation of the state to provide accommodation and catering services to Ukrainian refugees for up to 90 days. On March 14, the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 168 “Regulations on the Provision of Accommodation and Catering Services to the Civilian Population of Ukraine”.

Content of measure

The regulation stipulates that the local governments will provide accommodation and catering services for Ukrainian civilians. It will be coordinated by the State Fire and Rescue Service in co-operation with the State Border Guard and the civil protection commissions of the local government.

Expenses for the provision of accommodation services to the Ukrainian refugees will be covered by the state in the amount of 100% of the actual cost of accommodation, but not more than €20 per day per person. Expenses for the provision of catering services to the Ukrainian refugees will also be covered by the state in the amount of 100% of the actual costs of catering. State aid for the provision of these services is provided for up to 90 days.

Use of measure

According to lsm.lv, on the morning of 9 August, the State Fire and Rescue Service reported that 13,356 refugees were being accommodated through municipalities at the time. However, the data changes on a daily basis, and the next day the figure dropped to 12,619 people.

As of 20 December 2022, 11,535 Ukrainian civilians were actually hosted through local authorities.

As of 18 May 2023 3,862 people have actually been accommodated with municipal support.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Local / regional government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	Informed
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Both peak level social partner organisations, the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK) and the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) are actively involved in providing assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in different forms. Regarding Government’s actions, both organisations have expressed their support. As usual, regarding changes in legislation, social partners are at least informed, often consulted and agreed on outcome. On April 21, a meeting of the National Tripartite Cooperation Council (NTSP) took place, where the government and its social partners - LBAS and LDDK discussed the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed on Russia on the Latvian economy and the well-being of the Latvian population.

Views and reactions

No specific views to report.

Sources

• 14 March 2022: Legislative additional mechanisms to support the people of Ukraine (lvportals.lv)
• 13 May 2022: Regulations on the Provision of Accommodation and Catering Services to the Civilian Population of Ukraine (likumi.lv)
• 23 May 2022: Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians (likumi.lv)
• 12 August 2022: "We don't have that information": Ukrainian refugees and the politics between housing, benefits and portfolios (www.lsm.lv)
• 03 June 2023: Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians (valid from 3 June 2023 (likumi.lv)