The State Revenue Service (SRS) commented on the recent statement by the head of the State Border Guard, Guntis Pujats, regarding identified cases of employment of foreign athletes without employment contracts. The tax authority reported that it had not recorded such violations within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, the SRS emphasized that it had not received any information from the State Border Guard about such cases or potential violations by non-governmental organizations attracting foreign athletes. Thus, at this moment, the assessments of the two government agencies diverge. The Border Guard previously reported identified violations, while the SRS states that there is no confirming information. The State Revenue Service also reminded that the oversight of compliance with labor legislation is carried out not by the tax service, but by the State Labor Inspectorate. The comments were prompted by statements made by the head of the Border Guard, Guntis Pujats, on August 27 during the Latvian Radio program "Krustpunktā." He mentioned that during inspections related to combating illegal migration, cases were identified where foreign athletes were working without employment contracts. According to Pujats, this year, approximately 130 various violations were recorded during joint raids with other agencies. Most often, he stated, situations were encountered where foreigners had the right to work in Latvia but were employed in a company or for a position not specified in their permits. Such violations were most frequently found in the construction sector. The head of the Border Guard also claimed that similar problems occur in professional sports — particularly in football, basketball, and sometimes in hockey. Thus, the question of potential violations in the employment of foreign athletes remains open. The SRS claims it has not identified such cases, while the Border Guard previously reported the opposite.
