Radical Labour Reform and Resistance in Lithuania

This includes 2 Communiques from friends in Lithuania. The most recent (#2) is followed by the previous (#1). The statements include information about how you might help by showing your support for the resistance to these reforms
 

Communique#2 The new code of slavery has been accepted. (June 22nd)

On 21 June the Lithuanian Parliament made its final decisions on the labor code reforms. The reforms accepted are part of the “New Social Model”: a neo-liberal assault involving severe labor code liberalization, criminalization of single-motherhood (you will only receive child’s allowance if married), ‘income’ tax imposed on unemployment benefits, etc, etc.

Resistance to their assaults escalated on June 15th when a demonstration in opposition led to the occupation of a park in Kaunas. We have held the park for seven nights now and so far we have been able to defend ourselves against the police with the help of a quite broad public support. Our protests and occupation against the labor code has been unfolding within a broader social movement called “Gyvenimas Per Brangus” (Life is too Expensive).

(for a chronology of the movement and a statement of the demands of our assembly see our first communique “WE ARE NOT FOR SALE”, here. http://www.locomotive.press/2016/06/20/we-are-not-for-sale-communique-from-life-is-too-expensive-movement/

The consequences of the employer-political class actions cannot be underestimated. We will not accept their assault with quiet discontent as we plow their fields like loyal horses under the whip! They do not believe we are a threat. They do not yet know what will hit them.

Our movement is growing, and not only in Lithuania! By building this local movement we have joined an international uprising against a life that is too expensive. From the massive teachers strikes in Mexico against the neo-liberal attacks on education, to the uprisings in France, to the fight for the autonomous space Rog in Slovenia (and so many others) we have joined the barricades and will not fall to our knees in prayer for a merciful state to protect us. Its time to get organized on our own terms.

On 22 June the encampment will go to Vilnius. Solidarity from you could be sharing this communique, posting a video stating support with our struggle and why it’s related to your own on our Facebook  page or email gyvenimasperbrangus@gmail.com

Final decisions made by the Lithuanian Parliament on 21 June:

The Parliament accepted all proposed articles:

- temporary employment agencies will no longer be regulated. Anyone can be issued a licence to start one. There is no control over it.The expansion of private agencies, made possible under this law, will have severe consequences given the agency is based on hyper flexible contracts while also relieving the burden of social insurance and other costly securities for the employer.

- Subtraction of all current regulation on redundancy. The employer is allowed to give you a mere 3 days notice period before your employment ends.

- according to the fixed term contract the employer no longer has to pay the bare minimum - payment will be decided in a legally binding agreement between the employer and employee.    This means the minimum salary will decrease for many.

- Approved 0 Hour contracts. Employers are given a new weapon against full time employees. The employer sets the hours as they please. In addition, in this new contract social securities and health insurance are not guaranteed. They may be provided only by good will of employer.  

-  Redundancy pay will not depend on the agreement between the employee and employer. This will have particularly severe consequence for long-distance drivers.

-  rejected: guarantee for hazardous working conditions. There will no longer be a difference in securities for where you work. No job will officially be considered harmful by law. [doesn't sound good, but I don't get exactly what you meant. use terms like "Employer's' health and safety responsibilities, workplace hazards, ensure safe working practice, NOT harmful and NOT  securities]" Employees will have the same agreements for hours and pay irrespective of workplace.

- maximum working hours per week have been increased to 48. One of our lovely politicians,  G. Steponavičius, had the following remark: if we restrict the work time, we are returning to the stone age. People will work more because they want to make more money. They go to England because of that. The point, however, is that people go to England not because of unlimited hours but because they are paid more per hour.

- Work schedule flexibilization. The employer may now rewrite your working schedule two days before a shift.

-  overtime will be established according to the employer. The employer will determine what is overtime, what's not. Regulations established 48 hour working week Paid holiday time is made flexible for long-term employees. Employer will be able to decide when holidays are allowed.