Riga, March 28 (LETA) - It is critically important to promote closer cooperation between custody courts and social services, Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks (Greens/Farmers) said today at the general meeting of the Latvian Association of Custody Court Employees.

The minister stressed that both sides need to develop a common vision and strengthen cooperation so that existing resources can be combined as much as possible, rather than working in parallel.

During the general meeting, the current challenges in the sector were discussed. Among others, the need to improve the regulatory framework was highlighted, as well as the need to encourage municipalities to support custody court staff by consistently increasing salaries and reducing inequalities between the levels of remuneration set by different municipalities for identical work. Municipalities were also invited to take care of the working conditions of custody court staff.

The minister stressed that the shortage of human resources affects all institutions in the social field, which makes it all the more important to adapt processes to this challenge, to synchronize them between institutions and to look for ways not to reduce the time of specialists for direct work with families and children.

Highlighting the contribution of custody court staff, Uzulnieks said that every day in this profession is full of challenges and forms the basis of the country's child protection system.

He also thanked the association for its contribution to the development of the profession and the organization, highlighting its contribution to strengthening common understanding and ethical practice, including the development of cooperation processes.