Labour-market, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Security

Currently, the inspectorate performs inspections throughout Latvia. Lusis notes that obviously people "have a short memory" and have not learned anything from the Maxima tragedy. In a lot of supermarkets, inspectors have seen emergency exits blocked, staff not trained in evacuating procedures, and a lot of employees who have not undergone their regular medical checkups.

Inspections are carried out in the construction sector also, and so far this year three accidents have been registered already.

Lusis reminded that the inspectorate has completed investigation of the Maxima supermarket cave-in in Zolitude. The investigation committee identified the cause of the incident, namely, the company Maxima Latvija failed to evaluate the ongoing construction work on the building's roof and its potential impact on the supermarket's staff. The staff was not instructed on how to deal with emergency situations, and no evacuation process was organized when the alarm went off.

Head of communication department at Maxima Latvija, Janis Beseris informed the business portal "Nozare.lv" that, although some of the issues addressed by the inspectorate should be revised and improved, Maxima does not agree to the description of circumstances and interpretation of the laws and regulations, and believes that the inspectorate's conclusions are based on unfounded claims and assumptions.