The employment relationship can be started at the age of 15. If you already have an offer to start an employment relationship, you have to enter into a contract with your employer. If there are no specific jobs, there is an opportunity to register for the unemployed person or to obtain the status of the job seeker.

What do you need to know when concluding a contract of employment?
The contract of employment is an agreement between the employer and the worker on the duties, tasks to be performed, wages and other conditions. The contract may be for an indefinite period and for a specified period of time.
When entering into a contract for a specified period, it shall expire on the date specified in the contract, such as work on a farm of farmers during the summer months. When entering into a contract for an indefinite period, the employer may prescribe a probationary period which may not exceed three months. The probationary period shall not be determined for persons under 18 years of age.
At the beginning of the employment relationship, the employee and employer must enter into a written employment contract.

Are there restrictions on working time and pay?
The Law determines both the duration of the working day and the number of working days. It is also stipulated that the employee must receive at least a minimum salary for a full-time job. By separate agreement, the employee may agree to overtime work, but it is due to an additional fee at a higher hourly rate.

Useful links

Sampling for types of contract.
Learn more about payment of wages.
Information on working hours and overtime work.
Meet the Ministry of Welfare minimum wage information.

A self-employed person may be anyone who can offer his or her personal services or products on the market. The citizen can carry out both economic activities as a self-employed person and employment at the same time. In order to acquire the status of a self-employed person, it is necessary to register as a taxpayer in the State Revenue Service (SRS).

Useful links

Information to be used when starting a business relationship

Registers economic activity in the SRS e-service “Registration of the performer of economic activity”.
Get acquainted with the information of the SRS for individual entrepreneurs.
Learn more about opportunities for young people to volunteer.
Read the information about self-employed status.
Receives more information on working conditions in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe www.eures.europa.eu.

The State Employment Agency (SEA) offers extensive job search opportunities, as well as active support and counselling. The SEA consultant will become your partner in job search issues and help develop a job search plan, create your CV and place it on the SEA Vacancy Portal, provide information on various training courses and other opportunities. Together, you will be able to assess the proposed vacancies, as well as learn an e-training module for a more efficient job search process.
 
A job seeker (as opposed to the unemployed person) may receive a State pension, study in a secondary education programme in person, be fully dependent on the State, as well as not qualify for unemployment benefits. If there is a person without work who does not qualify for unemployment benefit but wants to seek employment by registering with the SEA as a job seeker, he or she may receive those free services that help in seeking employment.

Take into account
Information if you are looking for work outside Latvia

If you want to go to another country of the European Union, the European Economic Area country or Switzerland and export your unemployment benefit, you must submit an application to the State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) entitled “Maintaining the Unemployment Benefit Rights”. You can do it electronically, too.

In case you want to go in search of work to another European Union country, European Economic Area country or Switzerland and export your unemployment benefit, you should choose the most convenient way to apply for the extension of unemployment benefit rights:

• open the e-service E-application for the SSIA services, select "E-Application for the U2 document "Retention of unemployment benefit rights", fill it out and submit it;

• write the application, sign it with a secure  electronic signature and send it to the SSIA  e-address or to pasts@vsaa.gov.lv;
• in person at the SSIA or at the unified customer service centers of the State and local governments.

Useful links

Opportunities for job seekers

Register electronically, use e-service "E-application for the SSIA Services”.
Open the application “Maintenance of unemployment benefit rights”.
Draws on the establishment of the European Commission uniform CV Form.
Don't forget to add your CV letter of motivation.
Be visible to employers, register your CV SEA Vacancy Portal.
Go to EURES portal, recorded in it your CV and exploiting the opportunities of the European labour market.
Learn lessons for a successful job search strategy SEA e-training site.
To understand your abilities and capabilities, a great opportunity is tests for learning career opportunities.
If you have received the SEA Training Coupon, at the SEA website is available more information.
Find information about the availability and timing of courses in the SEA CV and Vacancy Portal training group planning site.
Find out what professions in the labour market are required to see the labour market short-term forecasts.
Find out everything on job opportunities abroad especially in the European Union.

If a person has a disability and looks for work, the State Employment Agency (SEA) offers additional facilities and services tailored for special needs. To find out more about the opportunities and support that are most appropriate to you, do not forget to inform the SEA consultant about your needs.

Many opportunities are available to people with reduced workability:

• career counselling;
• job search assistance;
• support for regional mobility;
• aid for the commencement of commercial or self-employment.

People with mental disabilities who work in subsidized jobs are offered assistance from a person who will help to integrate into the working environment and support contacts with their employer, employer and colleagues.

Do people with disabilities have access to training?

People with limited capacity have the opportunity to participate in training which helps to acquire or develop the skills and knowledge needed to work in the workplaces co-financed by the State. State-paid ergotherapist, surdotranslator, support person and other specialist services are available. If necessary, the training site is adapted to the needs of a particular person.

Useful links

Information on State aid for people with disabilities

Read more about disability award and expertise Health and health assessments at the website of the State Commission of Doctors.

Find out about support provided by the Social Integration State Agency (SISA) – identification of professional fitness and professional rehabilitation.

Clarify the SEA's support for the inclusion of unemployed persons with disabilities in the labour market.

If you are left without work or have not yet started working, you can get the status of unemployed or job-seeker. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get free career counselling, free education courses and other help to successfully enter the labour market. In the event of a job loss, it is desirable to do so on the following day in order to receive unemployment benefits more quickly.

Important

The status of unemployed person or job seeker in Latvia is granted by the State Employment Agency (SEA).

The status of the unemployed person may be applied for by any resident:

• older than 15 years, who is not working and is prepared to start working;
• which has not been granted an old-age pension;
• who does not undertake a primary or secondary school programme in person;
• which does not carry out commercial activities;
• who are not full or partial dependants of the State.

Choose the most convenient way to apply for an unemployed or job seeker's stay:

• complete the application SEA CV and Vacancy Portal;
• write the application, sign it with a secure  electronic signature and send it to the selected SEA branch or  e-address (available after specifying the SEA branch);
• send a completed and signed submission to the selected mailing for the SEA branch or put it in the branch mailbox.

Useful information

NVA free informational phone 80 200 206

Useful links

Information on obtaining the status of the unemployed person and the job seeker

Information regarding the acquisition of the status of the unemployed person shall be sought on the SEA's website.

You may be helped by the Support Act for the Unemployment and Jobseekers. 

It would be helpful for you to know what the duties and rights of the unemployed are.

The unemployment benefit is like a airbag for someone left without a job. It shall be granted by the State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA).

Who is due to the unemployment benefit?

The unemployment benefit shall be paid to the person who:

• has obtained the status of the unemployed person;
• the total length of service is 12 months and compulsory social security contributions have been paid;
• contributions in the event of unemployment have been paid for 12 months over the last 16 months, regardless of the number of days worked each month.

Regardless of the fact of making contributions, the right to benefit is also available to an unemployed person who:

• has regained working capacity after disability;
• kindergarten for children with diverse ability up to 18 years of age.

In such a case, the SSIA allowance is granted if the applicant has registered with the State Agency for Employment and obtained the status of unemployed within one month after regaining working capacity or reaching the age of 18 of a child with a disability.

Important!

The benefit may be received for a period of not more than eight months. The amount of the benefit depends on the length of the person's insurance and social contributions.

Choose the most suitable method for you to make sure that the mandatory state social insurance contributions are made for you:

• open the e-service Information on social insurance contributions and insurance periods, fill it out and submit it;

• write an application, sign with a secure electronic signature and send to the SSIA e-addressor to thepasts@vsaa.gov.lv;
• shall be submitted in person to the SSIA or the single customer service centres of the State and Local Governments;

How to claim and receive an unemployment benefit?

In order to apply for an unemployment benefit, an application shall be made to the State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA). This may be done at the same time as the registration of the status of the unemployed person at the SEA, separately - electronically or in person at the SSIA customer centres, as well as by sending an application as a postal item.

Choose the most convenient way for you:

• open the e-service E-application for the SSIA services, select E-application for granting or recalculating unemployment benefit, fill it out and submit it;

• write an application, sign with a secure  electronic signature and send to the SSIA  e-address or to the pasts@vsaa.gov.lv;
• shall be submitted to the SSIA or the single customer service centres of the State and Local Governments;
• send a completed application to the selected SSIA customer service center.

How is the cooperation with the SEA?

After receiving the status of the unemployed person or job seeker, an active job search will begin. All options and responsibilities will be presented to you by the SEA employee who will provide the necessary information and will follow the job search process. If you want to learn a new profession or improve your qualifications, you will receive a learning coupon that will allow you to pay the courses you choose.

Pay attention.

Job searches must be described in the job search diary. It will have to record all vacancies that will be applied for, offers from employers and the results of the process. Withdrawal of several job offers without justification may negatively affect the receipt of unemployment benefits.

Useful links

Information on the possibilities for receiving an unemployment benefit

Use the SSIA e-service — Information on social security contributions and periods of insurance.

Find out who is entitled to unemployment benefit.

A sample of how the unemployment benefit is calculated.

Find out how the unemployment benefit is paid.

If consultation is required, look at the nearest branch of the SSIA.

Get information on unemployment and benefits in the EU on your Europe website.

Forms applicable to EU/EEA countries and Switzerland shall be used.