Budget, Culture, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Wages

Dombrovskis said that the matter must be removed from the agenda. In Dombrovskis' opinion, changing the system of salaries for just a part of state-owned companies is uncalled for, informs LETA.

"I see no arguments in favor of such a decision, especially in a situation when salaries in the public sector are being reduced, as are social benefits and pensions," said Dombrovskis.

Culture Minister Ints Dalderis (People's Party) explained to reporters today that the draft was prepared in May, after salaries for board members at these companies had been cut 60%, or more than for board members at other state-owned companies. This is why the amendments were prepared, but now, realizing how serious the economic situation is in Latvia, the amendments have been retracted.

As reported, despite the ongoing austerity measures, the Ministry of Culture was planning to substantially increase salaries for board members at thirteen state-owned companies.

The Culture Ministry's wanted to increase the coefficient of 2.2, which is used to calculate salaries for board members at these companies, to 3.6 and even to 5 for members of the Latvian National Opera's board.

Taking into account that salaries have been reduced for board members at government-run companies, the Culture Ministry will be unable to ensure quality work of cultural institutions that are of national importance, explained Culture Ministry's Legal Affairs Department deputy head Sandis Voldins.

If the government approved the draft, the salaries for board members at Daile Theater, National Theater, National Symphony Orchestra, Valmiera Drama Theater, Chekhov Riga Russian Theater, New Riga Theater, Daugavpils Theater, Latvian Puppet Theater, Riga Circus, Academic Choir "Latvija", "Latvijas koncerti" and orchestra "Kremerata Baltica" would increase 50% on July 1, whereas the salary for the National Opera's managing director would increase 2.5 times.