RIGA, March 11 (LETA) - New Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks (Greens/Farmers) would like to pay more attention to solving employment problems, as Uzulnieks said in an interview with Latvian Television on Tuesday.

Commenting on the current labor shortages, Uzulnieks said that the State Employment Agency had several good programs to offer. The focus should be on tackling mobility problems and employing people with disabilities.

The new minister also wants to develop a system where companies that need employees with specific skills can inform the Employment Agency of their needs, and the agency will then prepare the specialists that the company needs.

There is a lot of talk about emigration, but we need to use workforce that is still left in Latvia to the maximum effect, said Uzulnieks.

Commenting on return migration, Uzulnieks said that it would gain momentum when people feel confident that they will have a well-paid job, the opportunity to send their children to school, to get good healthcare and education.

As reported, as she announced an intention to "restart" her government, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) on February 21 dismissed Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens (Progressives), Education Minister Anda Caksa (New Unity) and Welfare Minister Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers), citing a need for new leaders.

Last Thursday, the Saeima approved Dace Melbarde (New Unity) as Education and Science Minister, Reinis Uzulnieks (Greens/Farmers) as Welfare Minister, and Atis Svinka (Progressives) as Transport Minister.