In  24-26 of September, an international seminar took place in Vilnius. The main theme of discussion was emigration of young workers and its influence on the labour market.

Participants from Germany, Luxemburg, Cyprus, Portugal, Slovakia, and Czech Republic, also from Estonia, Poland and Belgium presented the situation in their countries and shared their experience.

Over the last 15 years, Lithuanian population is decreasing every year. Since 1990, 447 000 persons emigrated, and only 87 000 immigrated to LithuaniaIt is important to mention that the Lithuanian labour force consists of 1.6 million people. Mostly young workers are emigrating; they have more courage and better knowledge of foreign languages. However, usually emigrated people leave their families and children.
 
In Lithuania and around EU the demographical situation is getting worse and partly it is influenced by emigration. The birth rate is reducing in all countries, Europe is getting older. With years we will have less and less labour force and more and more people, who we must to sustain. It is very important to overcome the effects of the aging process and to prepare ourselves for the future challenges.

Topicality of social problems in contemporary Europe was presented by EZA President Raf Chanterie.

Donatas Jankauskas, the Minister of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, caught the attention of all the participants with  his presentation about influence of the emigration on the labour market. The presentation followed by hot discussions on topic, also the question about how Lithuania is going “survive” economical crisis was asked.

Daiva Kristina Kuzmickaitė, the Associate Professor of Vytautas Magnum University, Political and Diplomatic Faculty, introduced a study about the influence of emigration to family relations.  The study showed difficulties which the emigrated families – parents and children - are facing during the integration process:  the changes in family relations, in everyday life; language, cultural changes, and also the wiliness to save, conserve their own culture, language etc.

About the economical crisis effect to the migration and to migrating people, about the situation all around the world and about prognostics to Lithuania talked the leader of the International Organization for Migration Audra Sipavičienė. Anne Taklaja (ECWRQ) and Maria Reina Martín (FIDESTRA) introduced the routines of life of Estonian and Portuguese emigrants and immigrants respectively.  

Of course, the free movement of workers in Europe offers opportunities to people find better paid work in other countries. Emigration has reduced unemployment; some countries had accelerated development of economy. All phenomenon of globalization have boht advantages and disadvantages. Countries with high emigration are presently experiencing lack of skilled labour force

Questions regarding the changes in the workers’ situation in the time of the downturn, adequate Government policy regarding it were addressed by Arunas Pocius, Associate Professor of Work and Social Research Institute, and Aldona Jašinskienė, President of the Trade Union “Solidarumas”.

Can we always blame the economical crisis? Lithuania is a member of EU for five years, the economical crisis started a year ago, but the birth rate in Lithuania is decreasing for 15 years. It is becoming more and more popular for couples not to marry, but just live together, as partners. According to statistic data provided by Lithuanian Statistic Department (in 2006) 30per cent of children were born in families without wedlock.
Family authority in the society is decreasing, birth of children is postponed to older age, more attention and time is concentrated on the career, work and personal interests.  These and other family problems were touched by Andrius Navickas, Chief Editor of the daily web newspaper “Bernardinai”. President of the Catholic Parents Association Vidas Abraitis attempted to answer to the question “what kind of national family policy we need during the economic crisis period”. Anne Taklja from ECWRQ briefed the participants of the seminar on the demographic situation in Estonia. 
    
One of the main EU instruments is Lisbon strategy, which obligates Governments of all EU countries to supply labour market with qualified working force capable of adjusting to new requirements and new technologies. Here quantitative, as well as qualitative goals come into play. Labour markets needs suitably prepared specialists, who can create additional value.  Employees must have safe and decent working places. Labour markets not only need investments in the renewable manufacturing process, but also for the professional training of the employees.
Labour markets seeks to keep older persons active, to ensure possibilities for young families to combine work and family, to create new labour forms, to create safety and flexible working relations, to have stable policy and systems of social security. The report of the General Secretary of the Eurofedop Bert Van Caelenberg was dedicated to this topic. After the short presentation of the Eurofedop, General Secretary pointed out that the migration of the health care employees and their social protection is a significant problem and it is necessary to focus on the integration of such type of workers.

It is important to highlight, that  members of the seminar were representing well-known EU organizations as EZA, EUROFEDOP, ACW, FIOST, NSZZ "Solidarnosc", FIDESTRA, EUROMF and others. Representatives of these organizations participated in a round table discussions, Bruno Michiels from Euromf (Belgium), Lidmila Nemcova from Kap (the Czechs’ Republic) introduced the situation in their countries. Julia Rieck, the leader of Eza youth organization, made a  report on emigration of young people.
 
The participants of the international seminar reserved a lot of the time for the discussions, were exchanging their good and bad experience. In conclusion, it can be said that the collaboration of the international partners, especially regarding the topic of the emigration of young people and the integration of the emigrants in EU is really important.

It has been also agreed that the support provided by the EU governments to families should be not only material nature, but also moral and social: as for example the possibility to combine work and child care.
All the EU countries should intensify the attention for the family policy; foster respect for family concept.
 
 
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