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EU PolicyWatch

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-2020-31/1161 – measures in Lithuania

Benefits for people engaged in individual agricultural activities

Išmokos individualią žemės ūkio veiklą vykdantiems asmenims

Country Lithuania , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 01 August 2020 – 31 December 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Income protection beyond short-time work
– Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme
Author Inga Blaziene (Lithuanian Social Research Centre)
Measure added 21 September 2020 (updated 15 June 2022)

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. The law is valid until 31 December 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

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      A - Agriculture, Forestry And Fishing A1 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities
    • Occupation (ISCO level 2)
      Agricultural, forestry and fishery labourers

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)

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Benefits for people engaged in individual agricultural activities, measure LT-2020-31/1161 (measures in Lithuania), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/LT-2020-31_1161.html

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