The beginning of this year saw personal data experts discussing the news that the Austrian Data Protection Authority made a decision in December 2021 finding that the use of Google Analytics is contrary to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The French Data Protection Authority followed suit in February 2022. In this article we are modelling the effects of those decisions on people using the Google Analytics service across the EU, including Latvia.
With the labour market crossing national borders, Latvian employers are looking abroad to attract not only management talent but also routine workers. As the Covid-19 crisis lingers on and the significance of remote work grows, Latvian companies are increasingly wondering about the best ways to employ foreign workers, especially if they work remotely from their home country.
We are having to do our jobs and deliver results in a very complex and multifaceted environment caused by the rapid global change. The list of decision-making criteria has also become quite long. On the one hand, companies still focus on making a profit, but ESG matters often dictate a diametrically opposite approach. Change is inevitable and leaders must be able to benefit from various approaches that might initially seem conflicting and incompatible. In our December edition of Flash News we wrote about six paradoxes of leadership. This article explores them in detail
The global situation is still making us look at each other through a screen, and we have come to think of this as everyday life. A business trip is now more about connecting to another online call than boarding a coach or plane to attend a client meeting or a professional training course. Introducing a brief series of articles on payroll taxation, this one explores the tax treatment and obligations of an employer sending a worker on a business trip and paying for their accommodation and meals. We will be writing about other tax law interpretations we have received from the tax authority after we asked questions relevant to our clients preparing for the income tax filing season.
In our previous article on financing available to businesses we informed our MindLink subscribers about additionally available grants, loans and guarantees financed out of public and EU funds. A new EU funding period has just started, with sub-programmes being developed in detail for setting EU financing priorities. The aggregate EU investment for 2021–2027 involves EUR 10.44 billion to be absorbed by Latvia’s economy. A preliminary list of priorities and qualifying measures has been drawn up, and projects could be launched from mid-2022. Financing from the EU funds for project implementation is available to every Latvian citizen who has a clear idea of how to contribute to society’s well-being, economic growth and sustainable development. Projects may be submitted by entrepreneurs, municipalities and governmental organisations. This article explores the priorities, available funding and programmes of the Latvian Recovery Fund, as well as financing available from the EU Structural Funds for 2021–2027.
In late 2021 the government debated and approved the Justice Ministry’s proposals for amending the Commerce Act. Although the amendments have yet to be endorsed by Parliament, they might come into force on 1 July 2023. The most important proposals relate to disclosure requirements for a public limited company’s shareholders.
The world is facing significant and increasingly urgent challenges that are affecting individuals, organisations, governments and society alike. These trends are coming fast and impacting decision-making today. The challenges facing business leaders are significant and complex, with a substantial rise in the expectations people place on decision-makers as leaders.
Entering into contracts for services is an inevitable part of business, but this cannot be undertaken without fully assessing inherent risks. Over the years the courts have developed sufficient case law allowing us to make conclusions about how they approach situations that involve assessing the nature of a legal relationship to determine whether the contract is one for services or one of employment. This article explores some of the case law that prescribes the conduct of parties entering into either type of contract.
Since the adoption of a minimum rate for mandatory national social insurance (NSI) contributions, certain industries have seen an increase in the number of functions being outsourced. Companies are also consolidating their jobs to replace any part-time workers that were not socially insured for at least the minimum monthly wage. This article looks at extra work in detail.
Latvia saw a productive autumn in terms of changes to corporate governance rules. On 11 November 2021, Parliament passed amendments to the Public Person’s Shares and Companies Governance Act, effective from 8 December 2021, requiring large central and local government companies to apply corporate governance principles and prepare various statements in this area.
The European Green Deal and net zero carbon emissions are hot topics in Europe and globally, with implications for Latvia’s environmental protection policy, particularly affecting companies that produce or import iron and steel, cement, fertilisers, aluminium, and electricity.
To mitigate the economic impact of Covid-19, the government is supporting the private sector with various measures that financially help businesses cover some of their short-term losses. Yet it is very important for the businesses to see opportunities for future growth, which often comes down to the availability of financing for development, improvements and conquering new markets.
