Crisis in Latvia. Crisis Diary by Katya. Summer 2009
2009-08-27
The Government confusion
Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis encourages emigration from Latvia (already folkloric The Third emigration of Latvians). There is a problem of unemployment in Latvia and there is no reason for unemployed able-bodied part of the population to stay in this country. The only thing the state can do is to provide possibility to return them back after the crisis has ended. These “wise” words by the Prime Minister have been told on the radio and had been published afterwards on the news site. Very quickly after they have been removed. Correction of the phrases said by responsible governmental authorities is a common phenomenon in Latvia nowadays. The present Latvian Minister of Finance has problems to make correct commentaries regarding to economical reforms in Latvia, too. Fortunately, the clumsy phrases can be cut out from the broadcast materials.
In spring 2009 a popular anecdote appeared. The Conversation between Mr.Zatlers - the President of Latvia - and Mr.Putin - the actual president of Russia.
Zatlers: Putin, please, be so kind and take Latvia with everything you want with it.
Putin: OK.
Zatlers: Do you prefer the country with citizens or without them?
Putin: It would be better without people.
Zatlers: Ok, then you can got it after a year.
Another popular joke is about the advertisement at the airport of Riga: To the last one who leaves Latvia - switch off the light!
A big discussion on the President’s speech during religious holiday in Aglona on August 15th appeared. Thousands of pilgrims were gathered together to celebrate religious festivity, most of them had came to Aglona by feat walking about 1 to 2 weeks. During the night praying a massive rain shower raised and the cold wind made many peoples sick after the event. And the main message the President gave to the pilgrims during his speech in that night was: We have been insatiable in our expenses. Like a drug abusers people are greedy and have increased their welfare at the cost of the state. The reason of our crisis is the decline of morality…
2009-07-28
Criminal news
Already at the beginning of the year a special poverty-times revealing crime type – a primitive criminal- appeared.
Cheap things that do not give high returns have been stolen, half loaf of bread and sausages have been used for rapid eating around the corner.
House robbery rose next.
Cruel crimes appear which have been made by financial-desperate people. Trying to rob a small peripheral gas station in Vanes municipality on the 25th of July two robbers murdered a woman – an employee of the petrol station. The attack was interrupted by an arriving youth so the criminals escaped without any profit. This January similar murder was committed in Saulkalne – 28 years old man murdered a shop saleswoman cutting her throat to get 35 LVL.
In April a 20 years old student of medicine and a doctor assistant strangulated their friend to robber his mobile phone and money. They were planning further series of murders. Carrying ropes, knives and cleaning products with them they went on to kill a young man who wanted to sell an expensive car. The police have investigated that the young murderers didn’t have criminal past nor drug use in history – the cause of homicides was considered as a psychological. The young woman had told her boyfriend that he doesn’t earn enough money, so they tried to resolve this problem by realising homicides.
Economy news
The number of direct distributors of cosmetic increases rapidly. Oriflame and Avon companies recognizes that the number of employees has increased and the profit from the product distribution by these direct-sellers is essential during the crisis. Despite the crisis people have to wash their hair and they definitely don’t do it with household soaps. Products from Oriflame choose those who previously bought more expensive cosmetics – that is how the consultants explain the income. But the companies’ total earnings don’t grow – they will try to stay on the last year's level of profit.
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For many persons gathering mushrooms and berries are now the only source of income. Up to November when there are still cranberries many people are looking forward to the mother nature offered gaining. Children from the rural areas will purchase the school books using earned money on this way.
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The unemployed persons from Kraslava have turned to the cultivation of cucumbers. Near by standing Daugava allows to water tens of greenhouses. Cucumbers grow tasty and are requested on markets. Krāslava has been already nominated the Latvian capital of cucumbers.
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The most tragic situation is in medicine. In the second half of the year country offers only emergency medical assistance. Health Minister Eglītis resigns after accepting the plans of Govern to make a health care reform which practically means closure of many of rural hospitals. Half-closed is the hospital of Bauska which will be converted into a social care center. On the 13th of July Stradiņa clinical university hospital discontinued the systematic treatment of patients. The same have done Austrumu, Jūrmalas and Liepājas hospital. It means that have been intermittent renal transplant surgeries, cardiac bypass surgeries, vascular surgeries, etc.
Medicine is a bag, where you can shove infinite amount of money – says the former mayor of Riga Jānis Birks, who has failed in the recent elections. Medics say - there is no doubt that the planned operations and treatment repeal will increase mortality in Latvia. Newly elected health minister Rozentale says that extra money has to bee find, Prime Minister Dombrovskis says that the minister knew that there is no money and will not be, and expects of her done homework – done hospitals reform. Doctors are rapidly leaving Latvia. In June so many doctors have left Latvia as in total in last year. Germany, Malta, England, Denmark, Sweden, Libya, Australia, Norway – here you can find Latvian-speaking medics. Work-agents attend remote rural clinics recruiting doctors for working abroad.
European Commissions’ (EC) new research shows that 33% of pensioners in Latvia live in poverty. This is the third highest among the European Union (EU) countries. More higher score was only in Cyprus where a half part of pensioners living in the country have been considered to be poor. In Estonia and Latvia 33% are living in poverty. Despite this, Latvia has adopted a new law which stipulates that working-pensioners would no longer be able to receive both pension and salary. As a result we can expect a rapid increase of poor pensioners.
In June I was in 2 farewell parties. Hospital dismissed 6 nurses at the age of retirement. The table was amply covered with food, but nobody wanted to talk about the experience in hospital or experienced satisfaction by working there. The Head of Department said to the new doctors - girls, there you have potential nannies! Just one nurse told - Thanks to the state we have finally decided to leave, otherwise we wouldn’t have courage for this.
Accelerated retirement is also for police officers who have just reached 50 years of age. Teachers have left schools for whom the country has offered to choose between the pension and salary. Pension differ from the salaries of a couple of LVL so no one chooses to work.
