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Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure LT-2020-29/1114 – measures in Lithuania

Amendment of the sectoral collective agreement for the Lithuanian national public health system

Nacionalinės sveikatos sistemos biudžetinio sektoriaus šakos kolektyvinės sutarties pakeitimas

Country Lithuania , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 14 July 2020 – 31 December 2021
Context COVID-19
Type Bipartite collective agreements
Category Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace
– Teleworking arrangements, remote working
Author Inga Blaziene (Lithuanian Social Research Centre)
Measure added 14 September 2020 (updated 17 September 2020)

Background information

In Lithuania, a sectoral collective agreement for the budget sector of the Lithuanian national health system was signed on 14 December 2018 (CA) (No S-323) and was subsequently updated on 14 July 2020 (No S-205). Where the first version of the agreement focused on setting wage regimes in budgetary health establishments, the updated version also covered aspects such as teleworking, overtime, and additional occupational health and safety measures. For example, the document provides for the payment of wage supplements for extra work and adverse working conditions, as well as the possibility to work remotely for a certain period of time. Such changes were largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related higher risks of contracting viral diseases, as well as the need for overtime and/or teleworking for workers in this sector.

Content of measure

Among other things, we can mention the following provisions as the most important ones set in the updated agreement:

  • At the request of an employee, the employer shall make it possible for the employee to work remotely for at least 20% of his/her total working time (unless telework is not possible due to the nature of the work). The employer must have approved the teleworking procedure which is to be coordinated with employees’ representatives.
  • Overtime may be allowed with the consent of employees. In such cases, the maximum annual overtime shall be 260 hours.
  • Employees working in workplaces exposed to harmful factors shall be paid a premium (supplement) equal to at least 20% of the fixed part of the official salary (15% for those working in workplaces exposed to hazardous factors).
  • In order to reduce the risk of communicable diseases, the employer shall organise vaccination of employees who may be at potential risk of infection with vaccine-controlled infections at the employer’s own expense.

The signed agreement is to remain valid in Lithuania for three years, until 31 December 2021. The agreement shall apply to employees of budgetary institutions of the Lithuanian national health system who have become members of the signatory trade union (TU) organisations and their member TUs before the date of signing this agreement.

Use of measure

No information available.

Contents

  • Health and safety
  • Other topics
  • Pay increases
  • Telework
  • Working time flexibility

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Particular professions
Sector specific set of companies
Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
Social partners jointly
Employer
National funds

Social partners

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

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form Not applicable Not applicable

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

  • Social partners jointly
  • Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania and two trade unions - the Lithuanian Federation of Healthcare Trade Unions and Medical Staff Trade Union Solidarumas.

Views and reactions

The unions are positive about the signing of the agreement, as it will facilitate sustainable activities of public institutions within the Lithuanian national health system, guarantee a higher level of wages, occupational safety and other working conditions for employees working in these institutions than it is set in the Labour Code or other legislation.

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      Q - Human Health And Social Work Activities Q86 Human health activities
    • Occupation (ISCO level 2)
      Health associate professionals
      Health professionals

Sources

  • 14 July 2020: Agreement on the amendment of the sectoral collective agreement for the budget sector of the Lithuanian national health system (Susitarimas dėl Lietuvos nacionalinės sveikatos sistemos biudžetinio sektoriaus šakos kolektyvinės sutarties pakeitimo) (sam.lrv.lt)

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Amendment of the sectoral collective agreement for the Lithuanian national public health system, measure LT-2020-29/1114 (measures in Lithuania), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/LT-2020-29_1114.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.