The Latvian Association of Local Governments proposes a law amendment to reduce the work restriction period for officials from two years to one year after leaving their position.
The Latvian Association of Local Governments (LPS) has submitted proposals to the Saeima's State Administration and Local Government Commission regarding amendments to the law 'On the Prevention of Conflicts of Interest in State Officials' Activities'. The LPS is advocating for reducing the existing two-year work prohibition period after leaving an official position to one year. They believe that such a change would be more proportionate and would facilitate professional mobility, particularly in smaller municipalities where a long restriction period significantly impacts employment opportunities.
Additionally, the LPS highlights the potential issues with the proposed individual risk assessments by the authors of the law, which could introduce subjective biases, increase administrative burdens, and potentially lead to legal disputes if individuals view decisions as unjust. Consequently, the LPS argues that having a shorter and standardized term without individual assessments would be more appropriate and efficient.
Furthermore, the LPS reminds that similar proposals have been promoted in previous Saeima sessions, indicating a continuous effort to reform the law governing the employment of former officials. They stress the importance of finding a balance between preventing conflicts of interest and allowing for greater workforce flexibility in local governments.
