Several Russian and Belarusian citizens have also been dismissed from municipal companies owned by the Riga City Council, the municipality reported.
In compliance with the requirements of the National Security Law, Rīgas ūdens Ltd has terminated employment with five Russian citizens. One of them worked as a plumber in the water supply and sewage network service, while four were operators of treatment equipment at the Daugavgrīva Biological Treatment Plant, one of whom was of retirement age.
RÄ«gas siltums Ltd has identified employees to whom the legal restrictions apply. Their number is reportedly small. Regarding several employees who are highly qualified specialists in engineering fields and are not easily replaceable, consultations with security services have been initiated, the municipality explained.
The municipality has promised to provide information once final decisions are taken.
Meanwhile, the Riga Maternity Hospital does not employ Russian or Belarusian citizens.
Riga 2nd Hospital is still compiling information, which will be available later, while Riga 1st Hospital is an outpatient facility and is not classified as critical infrastructure.
Companies Rīgas satiksme and Rīgas meži are also not classified as critical infrastructure facilities and therefore do not fall under the requirements of this law.
The state-owned company Latvian Railways (LDz), in accordance with the National Security Law, has also terminated employment with 13 Russian and Belarusian citizens, the company reported.
At the same time, LDz plans to terminate employment with another 13 Russian and Belarusian citizens who are currently on long-term leave.
The company explained that,
in accordance with the Labour Law, severance pay is not applied in such cases.
With regard to five employees, individual permits for their employment have been requested from the State Security Service (VDD). A response from the VDD has not yet been received.
The company explained that these five employees possess specialised competencies that are not available on the labour market and that their training would require a long period of time. Moreover, these employees have previously begun naturalisation procedures and are in the process of obtaining Latvian citizenship.
LDz noted that until a response is received from the VDD, the employees will continue performing their duties, while all necessary security measures are being ensured.
As previously reported, the National Security Law includes a provision stipulating that
Russian and Belarusian citizens may not be employed in Category A, B, or C critical infrastructure
or in critical infrastructure of particular importance at the European level if the work involves access to information or technological equipment essential to the functioning of such infrastructure.
Such employment is permitted only on an exceptional basis with a separate authorisation from a state security institution. The provision entered into force on the 28th of June 2025.
LETA previously reported that several companies have already dismissed Russian and Belarusian citizens in compliance with the law.
According to information available in the LETA archive, in June last year the Saeima adopted amendments to the National Security Law prohibiting Russian and Belarusian citizens from being employed in or providing services to critical infrastructure.
Critical infrastructure refers to facilities, systems, or parts thereof located in Latvia that are essential for the performance of important public functions and for ensuring public health, safety, economic, or social welfare.
The amendments stipulate that Russian and Belarusian citizens may not be employed in or provide services to critical infrastructure or critical infrastructure of particular importance at the European level if such services involve access to information or technological equipment essential for the functioning of that infrastructure.
Russian or Belarusian citizens may work in critical infrastructure only on an exceptional basis with a separate authorisation from a state security institution.
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