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Provide meaningful work for those without jobs

With a hard-hit economy, Latvia tries in some ways to make the best of it. The parks are swept clean daily by pensioners and jobless people, who get a small addition to their miniscule social benefits, by actually doing something valuable to the city The parks are low-cost places of socialisation, and with the play-grounds, dog-walkers and many benches where people can sit and enjoy, they are popular attractions. Every day, a team of unemployed and pensioners (at least, that's my impression) sweeps the parks. Especially these weeks, with the leaves falling, it's a big job. The parks are even better places because of this work, and I believe that they get some recognition for their hard work. As a silly example: many people beg for cigarettes on the street, sometimes too many. But when one of these workers asks me, I never say no, and sometimes give more than one. Because I respect their effort, and enjoy it.

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