Joining a union in Lithuania gives you strength in numbers, legal protection, and access to resources that are crucial for foreign workers, argues Emilija Švobaitė, a lawyer for the May 1st Labour Union (G1PS).
It can be difficult to start a new life as a worker in a foreign country. Foreign workers face a language barrier and are often perplexed by a complex legal system. It can be more difficult to identify breaches of labour law, as even basic knowledge of it requires at least some experience. And even if they are identified, one has to know where to turn.
Labour unions can help overcome all these difficulties. Labour union activity in Lithuania is regulated by the Law on Trade Unions, the Labour Code and other labour laws. Labour unions are voluntary, autonomous and self-directed organisations and cannot be controlled by the employer or the state. All foreigners, regardless of their legal status, can join a union.
It is important to note that labour unions in Lithuania are established not only at the workplace level. If your workplace does not have a union or you are still looking for a job, or you do work on the basis of individual activity (are self-employed), you can join a larger union that organises workers in different areas at branch, territorial or national level.
1. Representing the interests of the worker
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