A study by Lithuania’s job centre, Užimtumo Tarnyba (Employment Service), has shown that employers are starting to look favourably toward returning members of the diaspora, showing a shift from the negative attitude held previously.
According to the survey, 42 percent of companies in Lithuania are facing a shortage of skilled workers, but they are not very successful in attracting Lithuanians returning from emigration.
Meanwhile, municipalities can play an important role in attracting returnees, according to Inga Balnanosienė, head of the Employment Service.
"Municipalities have a huge role to play. They are the first entities to welcome employers and they have to provide an attractive space to operate,” she said during a press conference on Wednesday. “Maybe there will be a different approach to attracting and returning people [to Lithuania]."
More than half of the respondents agree that emigrants have gained valuable experience and skills abroad and have more confidence.
"Returnees can bring a different work culture, knowledge, and competencies, which is perceived as an advantage," said Balnanosienė.
Three years ago, a similar survey showed that employers preferred workers who had studied in Lithuania. However, that has now changed.
"There are no longer the negative attitudes that were still prevalent a few years ago, that we want to have people who have been educated in Lithuania so that they have an understanding of the company's work opportunities and culture,” said Balnanosienė, adding that the negative stereotypes toward the diaspora are changing.
The survey also showed that nearly 40 percent of employers, especially small IT firms, would offer remote work opportunities to Lithuanians living abroad.
"We currently use video platforms and the telephone for job recruitment. We can connect with the US, other countries and thus offer the opportunity to work remotely. We cannot weld a part remotely, but we can certainly create a service," said Balnanosienė.
Non-governmental organisations are also important in attracting Lithuanian emigres to return, according to the head of the Employment Service.
"For people to return, all the safeguards have to be in place for success. We all need to come together – the state, politicians, employers, municipalities, and NGOs," she said.
Samanta Garbenčienė, HR Manager at SBA Home, a major employer in Lithuania, said that employers are becoming more open to returnees.
"Managers themselves are more open, and Lithuanians themselves are actively interested in the possibility of returning and job opportunities. Most of the interviews are conducted remotely," she added.
According to her, returnees are valued for their experience in international companies abroad. "Employees have a Lithuanian cultural sensibility and experience of doing business abroad. They are not shy about initiative and change, they are result-oriented. They are more valued by employers. They are also more interested in internal career opportunities," said Garbenčienė.
The survey, which involved 512 companies and institutions, showed that most former expats work in the manufacturing, trade, construction, and transport sectors.
Most returnees are coming back to Lithuania from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Norway.
According to the survey, they mostly cite their family relations, the improving economic situation in the country, and positive changes in the society as their reason for returning.
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