Latvian Trade Unions protest in Brussels
Press release by EFA MEP Tatjana Zdanoka
When: Wednesday 7 October - 11h00 to 12h30
Where: European Commission, Berlaymont building, Brussels
Latvian Trade Union representatives will be in Brussels to take part in a protest action concerning the implications of a European Commission backed fiscal stimulus package for Latvia. The fiscal package for 2009/10 has led to deep cuts in social provision in order for Latvia to receive the next stage of a European Commission loan.
This has meant 10% cuts in pensions, 70% cuts in pensions for working pensioners, 50% cuts in parental allowances for working parents, and cuts in the non-taxable minimum income.
The protestors are extremely concerned that this means a serious reduction in income for a large part of the population who are already below the poverty line.
They will be joined by MEP Tatjana Zdanoka.
The Trade Unionists argue that priority measures for tackling the economic crisis should include a reduction in government spending on state bureaucracy rather than cutting the incomes of pensioners, schoolteachers, doctors and policemen. They ask the European Commission to put pressure on the Latvian authorities in order to guarantee the implementation of structural reforms for the reduction in government spending on state bureaucracy.
The protestors will reveal banners bearing the following slogans:
EURO COMMISSION'S POLICY IS POISON FOR LATVIA
SAVE PEOPLE, NOT BANKS!
EURO COMMISSION, YOU ARE KILLING LATVIA
WE DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR BANK SPECULATIONS, DO IT YOURSELF!
WE ARE 50 NOW, WE'LL BE 50.000 TOMORROW. ARE YOU READY?
