Work in Riga – new platform for international job seekers

Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (Live Riga) announces the launch of the Work in Riga platform – a first port of call for anyone looking to move to or work in the Latvian capital. This year, the Agency also plans to continue its innovative Workcation Riga programme, via which companies interested in expanding or moving to Riga can apply for a bespoke site visit or “workcation”. 

Tackling labour shortages

The new platform is designed to address existing labour shortages since workforce availability is a key factor that foreign and local investors consider. When deciding to carry out investment projects in the Baltic States, foreign investors often choose Lithuania and Estonia, which already have effective talent attraction policies in place.

Currently, Riga has the potential to attract foreign investments at the value of 1 billion euros, thus creating 3,000 new jobs, however, whether these projects come to fruition primarily depends on whether the relevant labour resource will be available.

“The labour shortage affects not only new investors but also existing companies operating in Riga, which in the medium term are forced to review their operational plans. The Riga Investment and Tourism Agency has taken the first step to help investors and entrepreneurs by creating the Work in Riga platform, providing information in one place for citizens of other countries about the processes that must be carried out to start working in Latvia. It should be noted that this is the first content of its kind that collects such information in one place and, of course, is useful not only for talents looking for a job but also for investors and companies already operating in Riga,” explains Riga Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis.

Work in Riga developed with help of local businesses

Work in Riga was developed by Erda, a Riga-based human resources agency.

Company founder Zane Čulkstēna points out: “Those that can attract and retain employees will continue to exist. Estonia realised this already 20 years ago, and Lithuania – 10 years ago. Latvia will tackle this issue only this year, but Riga is leading the way and setting an example by helping Riga-based companies with information and marketing to attract foreign talent and talent from the Latvian diaspora abroad. As a first step, this is very welcome.”

Local print-on-demand company Printify also participated in developing the platform. “We highly appreciate Riga’s initiative to create a platform that allows potential workers from abroad and Latvian employers to find valuable information on aspects affecting the employment of foreign talent in Latvia in one place. The platform will be a valuable knowledge base both for employers who have already gained experience in employing foreigners and those who are still planning to do so. Printify is headquartered in Riga, but we are proud that our team consists of outstanding talents from 28 countries. I am happy to be part of this project and share my knowledge and experience with others,” says Anda Zubovska, Head of Personnel Mobility and Process Quality at Printify.

Workcation – a modern form of investment attraction

Live Riga also continues to run its Workcation Riga programme, which it launched in 2022, wrote Labs of Latvia. Via the programme, companies interested in expanding or moving operations to Riga can qualify for a tailored site visit of up to five days.

The Riga Investment and Tourism Agency was founded in April 2021 and has now grown to a team of thirty people, covering the areas of investment, tourism and Riga’s international positioning, with its main emphasis on improving business activities, the climate of the business environment and attracting foreign direct investment.

Author: Lelde Beņķe (labsoflatvia.com). Photo: latvia.travel