Background information

Law No XIII-3211 adding article 5-2 to Law on Employment No XII-2470 came into force in Lithuania on 1 August 2020, providing for the procedure for payment of lump sums and periodic payments to persons engaged in individual agricultural activities in a situation of emergency and quarantine introduced by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. As prior to the introduction of this measure small farmers were not eligible to any form of support during the COVID-19 pandemic, special lump sum and periodic benefits have been provided for the sector.

Content of measure

The amendment to the Law on Employment of the Republic of Lithuania stipulates that after the Government of the Republic of Lithuania declares a state of emergency and quarantine, a person engaged in individual agricultural activity is entitled to a lump sum benefit of €200 for the entire quarantine period if all of the following conditions are met:

• the person owns agricultural holdings measuring less than four economic units;
• has declared agricultural and other areas for 2019 or raises at least one conditional animal accounted during the year 2019;
• has declared residence in a rural area;
• is not in employment or does not have legal relationships equivalent to employment relationships;
• does not receive an unemployment social insurance benefit;
• does not receive a benefit for a self-employed person.

If a person engaged in individual agricultural activities also worked under employment contract, during the quarantine period, but his/her gross wage during the quarantine did not exceed the minimum monthly wage (i.e. €607 gross per month), the person is eligible to receive a periodic benefit in the amount of €200 for one full month of quarantine. The benefit is payable during the quarantine period only, i.e. from 16 March 2020 to 16 June 2020.

Use of measure

Lump sum and periodic benefits are payable from the State budget. Allocations earmarked for this purpose amount to €19.2 million.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Particular professions	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

No information available.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sectors and occupations

Sources

• 30 June 2020: Law No XIII-3211 adding article 5-2 to Law on Employment (LR užimtumo įstatymo No XII-2470 papildymo 5-2 straipsniu įstatymas No XIII-3211) (e-seimas.lrs.lt)
• 10 August 2020: Benefits for small farmers: who is eligible, where to apply and when they will reach the wallets (Išmokos smulkiems ūkininkams: kam priklauso, kur kreiptis ir kada pasieks pinigines) (zum.lrv.lt)