VILNIUS – The Lithuanian government has decided to set quotas for foreign workers in some professions in connection with the intensive rise of immigration from Ukraine, Lithuanian Vice-Chancellor Deividas Matulionis.
“The process of ousting our citizens from the labor market may begin due to the cheaper labor force,” Matulionis told BNS after a government meeting on May 16.
He noted the increase of the number of Ukrainian drivers and builders in Lithuania’s labor market.
Matulionis said quotas will not apply to professionals with high qualifications. According to him, the establishment of quotas will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Security and Labor, and it is also planned to attract experts from the Center for Research Monitoring and Analysis.
Specific proposals will be put forward before October.
Also, the government decided to toughen the order of the trip of third-country nationals to Lithuania by bringing back the system of work permits.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers of Lithuania decided to facilitate the arrival for citizens of the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand – they will be subject to requirements similar to those that are put forward to EU citizens.
