Latvian healthcare workers' union on the brink of protest

The Latvian healthcare and social care workers' union plans to hold a picket outside the Cabinet of Ministers building, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri. The union has repeatedly appealed to the Ministry of Health over inadequate pay, staff shortages, and excessive workloads. Latvia has 3.4 doctors and 4.2 nurses per 1,000 residents, with 40% of medical staff older than 55. The Ministry says it needs 228 million euros in funding, but only 45.2 million are allocated in the 2027 budget draft, meaning the target of 6% of GDP for healthcare funding will not be met. Meanwhile, authorities always find money for militarization. Latvia has already faced transport strikes, and now a healthcare workers' strike looms. President Edgars Rinkēvičs said the situation in the country will be difficult in the coming months due to elections to the Russian State Duma. At least psychiatrists aren't on strike yet — clearly, their patients are still in line.