Employment, Labour Unions, Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Strike

The participants of the action were urged not to vote for the MPs in support of liberalization of labor relations during the October general elections. Meanwhile, the government maintains that reforms are necessary to create new jobs and attract investments.

Kristina Krupaviciene, the leader of the Solidarity trade union, said the new Labor Code would boost emigration.

"They say that wages will rise and new jobs will be created. When? In the future. Some time in the future, not now. People need to live now," Krupaviciene said at the event.

Representatives of trade unions have criticized the proposal to lower severance pay and trim periods of severance notice. The participants of the Thursday's action said there was no dialogue with the government on the proposed reforms.

The participants chanted "shame" and held slogans, saying Butkevicius, We Hate You, We Don't Want to Go Back to Slavey, Shame for Taking Away Last Guarantees.

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius said the government was "involved in democratic discussions" on the new social model. In his words, the government's efforts to revamp the Labor Code have been applauded by the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

"I expect understanding and approval of all trade unions and all employees that we can no longer disregard the gaps in social security of employees, ageing of the population and low competition," the prime minister said in a comment to BNS Lithuania.

The parliament is scheduled to open discussions of the new Labor Code next week.