The social protection of artists in Latvia is regulated by general legislation, the Labour Law (2002) and the Law on State Social Insurance (adopted in 1997, in force from 1998).
There were no special provisions for self-employed artists to have access to the social security system. Many artists work in other fields to earn a living, for example in education, mass media, or advertising. After public debate, the Law on the Status of Creative Persons and Professional Creative Organisations was adopted in 2017 (into force from 2018). The aim of the law is to provide support to creative persons who due to the specific employment nature do not receive regular income or are experiencing temporary loss of capacity to work (long-term unemployment or illness). Assistance is provided directly to so-called freelance artists or creative persons who are not employed by an employer, but receive a payment based on the author contract. The law will be applicable to about 4000 persons in 28 creative organisations. Support is administered by the Council of the Creative Unions of Latvia in cooperation with the State Culture Capital Foundation. See also 2.3.
In 2004, a Law on the Service Pension of State and Local Government Professional Orchestra, Choir, Concert Organisation, Theatre and Circus Artists was adopted (into force from 2005). The purpose of this Law is to ensure the right to a service pension for state and local government professional orchestra, choir, concert organisation, theatre and circus artists in light of the fact that working in these professions over a period of time is connected with the loss of one’s professional skills before reaching the pension age, and to lay down the procedures for the granting, calculation and payment of the service pension.
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