Timber Industry Boss: Company Still Cannot Do Without Guest Workers

Andris Ramoliņš, owner and chairman of the management board of the Latvian wood industry group Stiga RM, said on the Delfi show "Kāpēc" that the company cannot yet manage without guest workers. The reason is a labour shortage: according to him, there are simply no local specialists available, even if an employer is willing to pay whatever is asked. The remarks show that staff shortages remain a live issue for Latvian industry.

The "Z" letter in the dormitory

Ramoliņš recalled an episode from the early period of Russia's war in Ukraine. The letter "Z", a symbol used in support of Russia's war, had appeared in the dormitories where the company's foreign workers live. The person responsible was quickly sent home to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

According to him, the incident pushed the company to start working on integrating its foreign employees itself. Several of them now already speak Latvian.

Efforts to ease the shortage

Ramoliņš listed several measures the company is using to overcome the lack of workers. These include scholarships and the construction of residential houses for employees.

The full interview can be watched as a video on Delfi.