Joining a union in Lithuania gives you strength in numbers, legal protection, and access to resources that are crucial for foreign workers, argues Emilija Švobaitė, a lawyer for the May 1st Labour Union (G1PS).
It can be difficult to start a new life as a worker in a foreign country. Foreign workers face a language barrier and are often perplexed by a complex legal system. It can be more difficult to identify breaches of labour law, as even basic knowledge of it requires at least some experience. And even if they are identified, one has to know where to turn.
Labour unions can help overcome all these difficulties. Labour union activity in Lithuania is regulated by the Law on Trade Unions, the Labour Code and other labour laws. Labour unions are voluntary, autonomous and self-directed organisations and cannot be controlled by the employer or the state. All foreigners, regardless of their legal status, can join a union.
It is important to note that labour unions in Lithuania are established not only at the workplace level. If your workplace does not have a union or you are still looking for a job, or you do work on the basis of individual activity (are self-employed), you can join a larger union that organises workers in different areas at branch, territorial or national level.
1. Representing the interests of the worker
Foreigners often mistakenly believe that if they have been exploited and worked illegally, they will be punished. And while about a quarter of applications to the Labour Disputes Commission in 2024 were from foreigners, fear of appealing and ignorance still hinder the effective pursuit of a healthy, safe and non-exploitative working environment.
It is also worrying that some foreigners hold residence permits based on work and are therefore dependent on their employer. One of the biggest benefits of being a member of a labour union is that you will have your own legal representative.
Representation in this case must be understood broadly. A labour union lawyer or a representative will not only advise you on employment law issues. Labour unions in Lithuania have the exclusive right to represent employees not only before employers but also before public authorities. So being a member of a union means that, as a foreigner, you will get help not only at work, but also when dealing with tax and migration issues. Fellow union members can simply accompany a foreigner to the institutions and help them communicate in Lithuanian.
What’s more, representing the interests of the worker involves controlling the employer. Labour unions have the right to monitor how your employer complies with labour laws and whether they discriminate against you. Unions are also active in defending workers' rights at a political level, by commenting on draft laws that aim to set labour rules.
2. Financial assistance
The activities of a labour union are based on the principle of solidarity. This means that union members pay a small fee to their union budget, which is used as a solidarity fund. You can expect financial support from the labour union in return, in accordance with the organisation’s statutes.
Although each labour union sets its own rules for support, they usually cover cases where you lose your job, when money is needed for your child’s well-being, for the funeral of a loved one, or in cases of serious illness or incapacity. Being a member of a labour union, therefore, is also a kind of insurance against difficult socio-economic situations.
3. Practical support
Labour unions often organise seminars and courses to meet the needs of their members. These can include language courses, employment law courses, seminars on how to prepare your CV and how to prepare for job interviews or to manage your finances.
Childcare is often a challenge for working parents, so some labour unions support various activities for employees' children. As already mentioned, labour union members can also help where a national language is needed.
As voluntary associates working in solidarity, labour union members tend to help each other with a wide range of practical issues, from finding a place to rent to supporting each other with items and household appliances.
4. The right to collective bargaining
Labour unions in Lithuania have the exclusive right to conclude collective agreements. This means that as a member of a union, you could initiate a collective agreement with your employer to negotiate greater protection for workers and specific guarantees. Due to the diversity of economic activities, the legislator cannot regulate all employment relationships in detail, which leaves workers and employers with a lot of room to negotiate with each other.
Once collective bargaining has started, employers must be involved. Happy and healthy workers should be the goal not only of workers but also of employers. A labour union can help make it happen.
Through collective bargaining, the unions work for fair wages, better working conditions and benefits that help all workers to thrive, regardless of where they come from.
5. Sense of community
In addition to legal, financial protection and practical support, unions also provide a sense of community. Being away from home can be isolating, but trade unions often create social and cultural networks where workers can find support, build friendships and feel part of something bigger.
This sense of solidarity can be empowering and help foreign workers feel respected and included in the workforce.
Finally, joining a trade union is not just about personal protection. It is about becoming part of a collective that fights for justice and dignity for all. For foreign workers, unions provide critical legal assistance, especially in situations involving employment contract violations, wage disputes, unlawful dismissals, or unsafe working conditions.
In short, joining a union in Lithuania gives you strength in numbers, legal protection, and access to resources that are crucial for foreign workers. It’s not just about defending your rights – it’s about empowering yourself to fully participate in the labour force, on an equal footing with everyone else.
