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In talks with MEPs during the ETUC Congress in Prague and last week in Brussels EuroCOP draw their attention to the lack of any right to organise and bargain for police officers in the Republic of Latvia that is to join the EU in 2004.
In a recent survey among police officers in Latvia 90% answered that they would like to create a union in their country. Currently the police act from 1991 prevents them from forming any kind of association. Police officers are not even allowed to raise the issue of association and to enter into talks with the Latvian Trade Union Council without risking disciplinary measures.
Latvia still is the only country among the present EU member states and the 10 candidate countries where the right to organise and bargain collectively is denied to the police force in total. 'Since more than two years we have now been trying to influence the Latvian Government', says Hermann Lutz, 'but the Latvian Government could not be convinced. Now we will see whether it is more susceptible to pressure from the European Institutions.'
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