G1PS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS #1 Political Trends

Over the next weeks we will be presenting a series of articles in English concerning migrant rights in Lithuania. We aim to provide helpful information about your rights as a migrant as well as to counter xenophobic atmosphere that aims to define migrants primarily as security risk rather than fellow human beings.

We will share real stories from migrant workers in Lithuania, comment on latest political statements in the Parliament, explain nuances of different work visas and other legal questions that migrants face in Lithuania. If you have specific question in mind, we encourage to write us on konsultacijos@g1ps.lt.

Following global trends, the current Lithuanian parliament includes several political figures whose political career has been built on attacking foreigners, sharing disinformation and spreading warlike narrative "Us vs. Them". As an organisation that unites workers and fights against economic exploitation, we know that such political statements only help unfair businesses to exploit foreigners by creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.

Let’s start with a brief overview of the latest political tendencies.

🔴The Ministry of Social Security and Labour (SADM) implemented a stricter procedure for the employment of foreigners in the coming years, so that the number of new workers from third countries in Lithuania lowered from 40,000 to 25,000 in 2025.

🔴 In December, the group "Against Mass Immigration" was registered in Seimas, the Lithuanian parliament. The group, which brings together 22 parliamentarians from six political parties, is chaired by Vytautas Sinica of the far-right party National Alliance.

🔴The current Law on the Legal Status of Aliens only allows the Migration Department to issue, amend and revoke temporary residence permits in Lithuania. However, the latest initiative by the chairperson of the group "Against Mass Immigration" proposes that the State Border Guard Service (Valstybės sienos apsaugos tarnyba – VSAT) should be empowered to revoke temporary residence permits in Lithuania. If it came into effect, it would mean that border patrols could function as judges and decide the destiny of migrants during routine controls.

This project is only in the stage of early preparation and experts believe it is unlikely to come to be accepted by the Parliament. However, these ideas show the extent to which some people are ready to make the lives of migrants more insecure.

There are real, tangible problems in the employment of migrants, but the cause for the problem in the media is often misplaced, blaming the abused workers instead of the abusive business practices. These worrying remarks followed with strict proposals from politicians is only possible due to the fact that Lithuania is lagging behind with inclusion of foreigners into the decision-making processes directly affecting their lives.

In the light of this situation, we want to remind you of a few important facts:

1️⃣ The Lithuanian Labour Code applies to all workers, regardless of their migration status (visa, residence permit, no documents). Your migration status does not affect your social guarantees as a worker in any way;

2️⃣ As an employee, you are never guilty if you are not employed properly (no contract, unpaid overtime). This is always the responsibility of the employer, who will be punished for such things, and not you as an employee.

3️⃣ Anyone can join labor unions in Lithuania. By joining G1PS, you can receive free labour law consultations, legal representation and a supportive community regardless of your employment status, migrant status, ethnicity, gender identity or faith.

In the next article we will present and discuss different types of visas and how they affect your employment, so, feel free to leave your questions in our mailbox.