This past weekend, a petition was launched on the public initiative portal 'Manabalss.lv' in Latvia, aimed at halting proposed amendments that would reduce overtime and holiday pay. Within a mere two days, the initiative managed to gather close to 8000 signatures from concerned citizens who wish to maintain fair compensation for work beyond regular hours and on holidays. The representative of the initiative, Inga Bērziņa, strongly criticizes the rushed voting on March 4 by the Social and Labor Affairs Commission of the Saeima, which she claims lacked clear economic justification and raises legal contradictions, significantly putting workers' earnings at risk.

Bērziņa highlights the critical implications of these proposed changes, which include slashing overtime pay from 100% to 50% and holiday pay to 75%, effectively eliminating the extra pay for regular work performed on public holidays. This trend not only undermines workers' rights but also risks diminishing their earnings and overall welfare. The petitioners argue that such measures would lead to reduced motivation among employees and a growing sense of social injustice, pushing workers toward financial instability.

The initiative calls for the preservation of existing labor law provisions that ensure fair compensation for overtime work and holiday shifts. As public support grows for this cause, it reflects a broader concern over the potential social and economic repercussions that could arise from the proposed regulatory changes and the prioritization of profit over fundamental workers' rights.