Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
The European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) is the European Workers’ Industry Federation for construction, building materials, woodworking, forestry and furniture. The EFBWW has 77 affiliated unions in 36 countries and represents a total of 1.5 million members. The EFBWW is a member organisation of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and an officially recognised European Social Partner.
We were initially pleased to hear that a new trade union organisation has been established and affiliated with the Latvian Forestry and Woodworkers Trade Union (LMNA) in early February, uniting the employees of JSC Latvijas Valsts Meži (LVM). This step is essential in implementing the industry's sustainability goals. EFBWW has been informed that Latvijas Valsts Meži, as one of the leading forest sector companies in Latvia, has shown itself as a reliable employer since its foundation, implementing the best practices in the field of labour law, as well as defining mutual honesty and a positive work environment as its core values.
Knowing this, we were surprised to receive the information that Latvijas Valsts Mezi is reluctant to constructive cooperation and, instead, discredits trade union work and violates trade union and worker labour rights, discouraging and intimidating LVM employees from exercising their fundamental rights to join a trade union. It is a severe concern that such violations occur within a state-owned company in a European Union member state, which must comply fully with EU labour and social rights regulations.
This is very alarming, and we take this matter seriously. EFBWW strongly supports LMNA and its affiliated trade union at LVM. Labour rights are a fundamental pillar of the European social model, and any breach of these rights must be addressed without delay.
EFBWW calls on LVM to initiate a respectful and constructive social dialogue with LMNA and its affiliated trade union at LVM and to work together in good-faith negotiations to resolve the
ongoing concerns. Also, we urge the Ministry of Agriculture to support and oversee this process actively, ensuring compliance with national and EU labour laws. EFBWW remains committed to closely monitoring this situation and expects an immediate response to these concerns. We look forward to swift and concrete actions that will lead to a resolution, guaranteeing the full respect of workers’ rights in the forestry sector in Latvia.
We trust that LVM and the Ministry of Agriculture will take the necessary steps to uphold labour rights and foster social dialogue in the interest of all parties involved.