Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Lithuania (RATIFICATION: 1994)

CMNT_TITLE

Articles 1, 7 and 9 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. Specific groups. Employment service staff. The Government reports that amendments introduced in 2018 to the Law on Employment and related legislation restructured the former public employment service provider – the Lithuanian Labour Exchange – together with its territorial units, into a single legal entity: the Lithuanian Employment Services. It indicates that the restructuring was carried out to make services more responsive to socio-economic changes and improve the quality of services for both jobseekers and employers. In this context, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that persons excluded from the labour market need not only active labour market programmes, but also measures to remove barriers to social inclusion and provide personalized complex social services. The Government adds that the reorganization was impacted by the European network of public employment services’ benchmarking initiative and that feedback from external assessments was taken into account in planning and implementing the changes. The main changes include: a reduced number of separate legal entities (from 11 to one); an increase in the number of client service divisions to 70; consolidation of human resources leading to a 13 per cent increase in the number of employees providing direct services to clients; and the provision of specialized consultants for specific groups, such as persons with disabilities, soldiers and the long-term unemployed. The Committee further notes the detailed information provided by the Government concerning the labour market assessments and forecasts, as well as employment support services provided by the Lithuanian Employment Services.

In response to the Committee’s 2015 direct request, the Government reports that the number of unemployed persons registered with the public employment services stood at 263,569 in 2014, decreasing to 253,697 in 2018. It indicates that labour demand remains high, with the number of job vacancies notified increasing from 226,624 in 2014 to 228,404 in 2018. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the number of employed persons has been decreasing due to labour shortages in certain professions. The number of employed persons among registered jobseekers has been decreasing since 2015, from 69.7 per cent of registered jobseekers in 2015 to 66.5 per cent in 2018. The number of participants benefitting from active labour market policy measures has also declined, from 59,156 in 2014 to 41,008 in 2018. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the nature and impact of the labour market measures implemented by the Lithuanian Employment Services, particularly on their contribution to the effective promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment in the country. It further requests the Government to provide detailed information on the nature and impact of measures taken by the Lithuanian Employment Service to remove barriers to social inclusion and provide personalized social services for jobseekers who face particular difficulties in accessing the labour market. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to provide specialized training to employment service officials to enable them to provide services tailored to the concerns of specific groups, such as persons with disabilities, soldiers and the long-term unemployed, among others.

Article 3 of the Convention. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. Youth Job Centres. The Committee notes that, with the creation of the Lithuanian Employment Services in 2018, the number of client service divisions was increased and emphasis has been placed on the role of regional offices instead of only on offices in the largest cities. It further notes the detailed information on Youth Job Centres, provided by the Government in response to the Committee’s previous comments. The Government indicates that the youth employment network has expanded to 45 Youth Job Centres covering almost all municipalities. The Centres provide counselling and support to young people under the age of 29 through numerous activities, such as provision of individual tailored support, group counselling, informative career and education events, cooperation with education providers and employers, job search assistance and business start-up support. The Youth Job Centres work in cooperation with a range of municipal, non-governmental and private stakeholders, including local employers, operating in an informal environment in order to attract more young people. The Government reports that, in 2018, 79,100 jobseekers received information and counselling services from the Youth Job Centres, and an additional 35,100 received such services in the first half of 2019. The Centres provided 24,000 individual consultations on job vacancies, studies and career choices in 2018, and an additional 11,700 in the first half of 2019. In addition, 32,400 young people were consulted by phone, email or internet in 2018, and 8,500 in the first half of 2019. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information on the functioning of the Youth Job Centres, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex. The Committee further requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and impact of the services provided, particularly on their contribution to young people’s access to decent work and sustainable employment.

Article 4. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes with interest that the 2018 amendments to the Law on Employment led to the creation of a new form of social cooperation under the Lithuanian Employment Services: the Employment Service Council. The Government reports that the Council is composed of nine members (three members from trade unions, three members from employers’ organizations and three members from the Government). The Council’s objective is to consider and submit proposals for: setting priority guidelines for the employment service; drafting employment support programmes; and developing and adopting employment support measures, as well as measures to optimise the efficiency of the service. Meetings of the Tripartite Council are held at least every six months or more often, if necessary, and its decisions are advisory. The Committee further notes the detailed information provided by the Government on the activities of the Tripartite Council, particularly with regard to the concrete measures and policies discussed, including the efficiency of employment promotion programmes offered by municipalities in 2018 and 2019, as well as the introduction of employment promotion programmes and motivation services for unemployed persons and social beneficiaries in six municipalities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated information on the functioning and concrete activities of the Employment Service, as well as on the impact of the Council’s activities in giving effect to the provisions of the Convention.

CMNT_TITLE

Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government indicates in its report that, as of 31 July 2014, following the active labour market policy measures implemented, 159,110 people from companies undergoing economic hardship were referred to community service for temporary employment; 1,716 jobseekers benefited from the measures of territorial mobility; 24,844 people under the age of 29 were provided with subsidized employment measures; and 17,610 people benefited from skills acquisition support measures. The Committee notes that in 2013 the Lithuanian Labour Exchange introduced the employment intermediation standards and various new counselling measures as well as differentiated services based on jobseekers’ labour market readiness. Online customer services for labour market players have also been operational since 2011. The Committee also notes that, in the 2007–13 period, out of the 21 projects carried out by the Lithuanian Labour Exchange within the framework of the Operational Programme for the Development of Human Resources, 12 projects were conducted with the aim of integrating jobseekers into the labour market by means of providing vocational training and supported employment. The Government indicates that the number of unemployed persons registered with the territorial labour exchange offices was 256,700 in 2011, 330,800 in 2012 and 299,600 in 2013. Moreover, the number of job vacancies registered increased from 169,100 in 2011 to 242,200 in 2013; and the number of employed persons decreased from 85.2 per cent of the registered jobseekers in 2011 to 65.9 per cent in 2013. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the labour market measures implemented by the Lithuanian Labour Exchange, as well as the results thereof, including statistical data on the number of applications for employment received, vacancies notified and persons placed in employment by the Lithuanian Labour Exchange.

Article 3 of the Convention. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. The Government indicates that the reorganization of the system of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange in 2010 has led to a new labour exchange system model successfully meeting the needs of the labour market, based on focusing upon customer service. The Committee notes that the Lithuanian Labour Exchange has undertaken further development of its infrastructure and reorganization in 2013, with the implementation and improvement of the open information system and the establishment of the Youth Job Centre divisions in all territorial labour exchange offices. It also notes that, in order to implement the social inclusion measures provided for in the Activity Plan for Implementation of the 2014–20 Programme for Increased Employment, adopted in 2013, the network of Youth Job Centres will be further developed with the goal of establishing a centre in every municipality by 2016. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the Youth Job Centres.

Article 4. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes that the Tripartite Commission discussed a number of employment service policies and measures, including the new vocational training model and e-services for jobseekers and employers in 2011, the application of a new customer approach in territorial labour exchange offices in 2012, effectiveness assessment guidelines for the public employment services in 2013 and practical placement programmes in 2014. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the activities of the Tripartite Commission under the Lithuanian Labour Exchange.

CMNT_TITLE

Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the detailed information contained in the Government’s report received in September 2009, in response to the Committee’s 2007 observation. The Government reports that, during the period from 2006 to 2008, 68,300 young unemployed persons up to the age of 25 were registered in the local labour exchange offices. 47,600 young unemployed persons were placed in jobs, and 25,800 young persons participated in active labour market policy measures. During this period, 45,900, i.e. 59 per cent, of employers made use of the local labour exchange offices services. The Government reports that, on 16 June 2009, the Seimas approved the Law Amending the Republic of Lithuania Law on Support for Employment (No. XI-292). Taking into account the effects of the deepening economic crisis that struck in 2008, this new legislation provides for specific measures to: (i) assist companies to avoid an irrational reduction of workplaces; (ii) encourage and support territorial mobility of jobseekers; (iii) support self-employment and entrepreneurship, in particular, the business of large families; and (iv) encourage the development of subsidized jobs and create conditions for accelerating the integration of the long-term unemployed and persons after vocational rehabilitation into the labour market. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on measures taken by the public employment services to counter the effects of the economic crisis on jobseekers in the labour market.

Article 3 of the Convention. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. The Committee notes the Implementing Measures of the Programme of the Republic of Lithuania for 2008–12, which provides for the decentralization of labour policy and the delegation of the implementation of labour market policy to regions. The Government reports that discussions are taking place over a decentralised labour market management model which, in order to be implemented, requires that functions of the institution at national level (i.e. the Lithuanian Labour Exchange) and those of regional (county) labour market institutions are defined in order to achieve a more efficient determination and implementation of labour market policy objectives and targets. To this end, the Government also reports that, in 2009, a substantial reconstruction of the management system of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange will be undertaken, which aims to make the Exchange activities more efficient, compliant with the applicable requirements and to ensure the flexible decision-making that is necessary in the situation of an economic downturn. The Committee invites the Government to report on the reform of the Lithuanian Labour Exchange, and the impact of such reform on its performance.

The Committee notes that, in 2008, the Government launched certain labour exchange infrastructure development projects in accordance with the National Lisbon Strategy Implementation Programme 2008–10. To this end, under the Development of Local Labour Exchange Infrastructure in 2007–10 project, construction and/or reconstruction works were carried out in the buildings of Kaišiadorys, Varėna, Zarasai, Šalčininkai, Biržai and Joniškis local labour exchange offices. Local labour exchange offices were established in Kaunas and Plungė. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information regarding the Implementing Measures of the Programme of the Republic of Lithuania for 2008–12, as well as the programme’s impact on labour market policy.

Article 4. Participation of the social partners. The Government reports that social partners represent their own interests through participation in the activities of the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania and the tripartite councils (i.e. commissions and committees) of institutions under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour implementing employment support policy. The Committee notes that tripartite councils are formed from an equal number of fully fledged members representing organizations, state and municipal institutions defending the interests of workers and employers. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the outcomes and recommendations made by the tripartite bodies on the operation of the public employment service.

CMNT_TITLE

1. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes with interest the detailed and comprehensive information contained in the Government’s report, received in September 2006, in response to the Committee’s 2005 direct request. The Government reports that, in 2000–05, labour exchanges led to the employment of 734,600 jobseekers, provided intermediation services in obtaining business licences for 84,900 unemployed persons, and involved 296,400 jobseekers in labour club activities. For the same period, 727,900 persons were involved in active labour market programmes –including 130,100 unemployed persons and persons that had received warnings of dismissal in professional development programmes, and 481,900 persons into employment support programmes.

2. The Government reports that the following five projects, financed by the European Social Fund, were prepared in 2004 and implemented in 2005: Development of Vocational Training of Unemployed Persons and Persons that have received Warnings of Dismissal; Support for Employment of the Unemployed; Labour Market Integration of Persons with Disabilities to Prevent Social Exclusion; Implementation of the Active Labour Market Policy Measures for Convicts and Persons Released from Imprisonment; and Building of Administrative Capacities at the National Labour Exchange. In this regard, the Committee notes the Government’s report that such projects have enabled the referral of an additional 10,700 unemployed persons to the active labour market programmes. The Committee welcomes continuing to receive information on the activities of the National Labour Exchange, including such activities undertaken to address the specific needs of particular persons. Similarly, the Committee wishes to be kept informed of activities under technical cooperation projects aimed at improving access of jobseekers to employment.

3. Article 3 of the Convention. Development of employment offices throughout the territory. The Committee notes that the National Labour Exchange is supported by 46 local (city and district) labour exchanges. The Government reports that the matter of establishing a regional level in the National Labour Exchange, or county labour exchanges, is under discussion, and if a regional level to the labour market institutions is formed, part of the functions performed by the national-level institution – namely, the National Labour Exchange, could be delegated to that level, creating conditions for the decentralization of labour market management. The Committee would welcome being informed of the outcome of consideration on the feasibility of the establishment of regional-level labour exchanges, and of the provision made for the review, where necessary, of the network of employment offices to meet the changing requirements of the economy and the working population.

4. Article 4. Participation of social partners. The Committee takes note of the information provided on the form and functions of the tripartite council established under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. The Committee also notes that tripartite commissions are formed under the National Labour Exchange and the local labour exchanges for the consideration of issues related to the situation in the labour market and the implementation of labour market policy measures and services. The Committee would welcome continuing to receive information on arrangements made through the tripartite council and commissions for the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy, including information on the outcomes and recommendations made by such bodies.

CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the detailed information supplied in the Government’s report received in September 2005 and the comments of the Lithuanian Labour Federation (LDF) forwarded to the Government in October 2004. The LDF considers that more public territorial jobcentres should be set up in the country, especially in the northern Lithuanian regions, where the unemployment rate is the highest. The LDF is concerned with the low productivity of the existing jobcentres. The LDF also refers to Article 6 of the Convention and stresses that the employment service should take appropriate measures to facilitate occupational and geographical mobility of jobseekers, in addition to temporary transfers of workers from one area to another and movement of workers from one country to another. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the efforts made in expanding the public employment service and such comments as it considers appropriate in relation to the observation made by the workers’ organization.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2006.]

CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes with interest the comprehensive information supplied in response to its previous comments, as well as other information on the substantial progress the Government has made in expanding its employment services. It notes in particular the extensive efforts the Government has made to include representatives from civic society in developing employment service policies and programmes, including a non-governmental organization which aids former convicts to reintegrate into society and organizations representing people with disabilities.

CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes with interest the first two reports of the Government on the application of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report the texts of regulations in respect of the employment service and the tripartite committees on the employment service. Moreover, please provide additional information on the following points.

Article 3, paragraph 2, of the Convention. Please indicate whether measures have been taken or are envisaged in order to proceed with a general review of the organization of the network of employment offices.

Article 6(b). Please describe the measures taken or envisaged within the framework of the employment service to facilitate the geographical mobility of workers.

Article 7(a). Please indicate whether measures have been taken or are envisaged to ensure, within employment offices, specialization by occupation or branch of activity or, where necessary, specify the reasons why such specialization does not appear to be useful.

Article 11. Please describe the measures taken or envisaged to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

Point IV of the report form. Please continue to furnish statistical information, which is as detailed as possible, in respect of the nature and volume of activities of the employment offices. Please provide recent copies of the employment service publication (Labour Market News).

Part VI of the report form. Please give a general assessment of the effectiveness of the employment service.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]