ETUC Secretary General in Lithuania

The meeting was dedicated to speak about the role of trade unions during the crisis period. Andrius Kubilius underlined that one of the most important priorities of this Government is cooperation with social partners, the search for dialogue. The Prime Minister noted that the dialogue is often difficult to implement, because each group is too much "grasped" in their positions. "Dialogue is the search for compromises," - concluded the Prime Minister.

  
During the meeting it was the discussion about the Tripartite Council. Adviser of the Prime Minister Skirma Kondratas said that there is no will to liquidate the Tripartite Council. There is a will to have one more advisory institution. There is a possibility to strengthen social dialogue and democracy.

Minister of Finance underlined the priorities during the crisis period: to save the working places, to defend the most vulnerable groups of people, to try to help the construction industry. 

During this important meeting the „flexicuriry“concept was discussed. As ETUC Secretary General underlined, the model is good, but very expensive. But Ministers of Lithuania claimed that it is very important to be flexible during the crisis period. At the same time trade unions think that flexibility has to go together with security.

The ITUC Executive Secretary Gregor Gradev, Estonian trade union Confederation (EAKL) President Harri Taliga, ITUC regional coordinator for East and Middle Europe Sergejus Glovackas, Lithuanian trade union confederations leaders took part in the meeting.

ETUC Secretary General John Monks told that he came not to give advice, but to analyse the situation and to think what kind of support European Union could comit.

LDF info