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UNI Europa has on 16 September sent a letter of solidarity with the Lithuanian trade unions and their protests against the new labour code to Mr.Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania

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Dear Mr Butkevicius,

UNI Europa stands in full solidarity with the Lithuanian trade unions and their protest action “No to Slavery at Work” which was held on Thursday 10 September in front of the Lithuanian parliament and government buildings.

UNI Europa supports the Lithuanian trade unions in their call for rejection of the following provisions embedded in the newly proposed labour code:

1. Wage reduction (with no remuneration for overtime provided); pursuant to the new Labour Code, workers will be required to work mandatory overtime.
2. Simplified procedure for termination of employment.
3. The possibility to dismiss an employee without any substantial reason, with a 3 day termination notice
4. Shortened terms of severance packages and job termination notifications.
5. Introduction of fixed-term employment contracts for work of permanent nature.
6. Revocation of the right to holidays for seniority (work record).
7. Maximum weekly working hours increased from 48 to 60 hours.
8. The mandatory period of work record for social insurance pension extended by five years.
9. Reduction of guarantees for employees raising children.
10. Restricted trade union rights and activities.

It is not acceptable to curtail employee guarantees, approve excessive liberalisation of labour relations and impose restrictions on trade union activities in this manner.

Yours sincerely,

Oliver Roethig

UNI Europa Regional Secretary