Strengthening equality and union partnership in Riga

On April 5, CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger travelled to Riga to participate in a high-level event of the eQualPRO project with the support of 'LVPUFDA', the Latvian Union of State, Local Government, Company and Financial Employees.

The event, held in the Latvian Academy of Sciences, brought together policymakers, union members, and experts to discuss a timely and ambitious agenda: gender equality in public administrations in the digital age, and the future of union action in a transforming labour market.

In his keynote address, Klaus Heeger underlined CESI’s strong commitment to gender equality and inclusive digitalisation. He stressed that despite decades of EU legislative progress, structural discrimination persists—and risks being amplified by new technologies such as AI if left unchecked. Trade unions must lead the way in ensuring that workplace transformation benefits all, including women and underrepresented groups .

The eQualPRO project highlights the need for robust trade union engagement in promoting equal treatment, transparent use of digital tools, and gender-sensitive transition strategies. As Klaus Heeger put it: “Equality is not just a goal. It’s a promise - and a responsibility."

The day also marked an important moment for CESI's Latvian partner union: Andrejs Jirgensons was unanimously re-elected as President of LVPUFDA for a five-year mandate. CESI warmly congratulates President Jirgensons on his election and looks forward to deepening cooperation in the years to come.

The eQualPRO event in Riga is part of a wider pan-European series of hybrid conferences organised by CESI to reflect on gender equality at work and equip unions to respond to new digital-era challenges.

By focusing on past EU achievements, present obstacles, and future risks, CESI aims at helping workers and unions be agents of fairness and change.

Together with partners like LVPUFDA, CESI will continue to support trade union capacity, strengthen cross-border dialogue, and defend a vision of work that is fair, inclusive, and future-ready.