Lithuania

International seminar "Future of work in the context of technological changes"

Researchers, government representatives from Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, and Estonia as well as national social partners discussed main employment trends and impact of technological changes on the labour market.

Press release | 09 December 2016
Vilnius (ILO news) – Technological changes in the future of work was in the focus of an international seminar organized by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, in Vilnius, Lithuania on 30 September 2016.

Some 40 researchers, academics, worker and employer representatives as well as ILO and Lithuanian government officials attended the event, which is related to the “Future of work Initiative” launched by ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

Participants discussed changes brought by technological innovations on the labour market and labour relations, challenges faced by businesses and workers, the role of international cooperation and experience of neighboring countries.

While delivering a greeting address in front of the participants of the international seminar, Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania Mrs Algimanta Pabedinskienė stressed that in the context of rapidly changing technologies, climate change and economic growth, only those states that are not afraid of innovations, can respond to new challenges and adapt to changes will be able to develop successfully.

ILO representative Mr. Nicolas Niemtchinow introduced the Future of Work Initiative launched by the ILO. In 2016, countries are encouraged to organize national dialogues to discuss possible solutions of future challenges in order to create a common understanding of what determines changes in the world of work and what impact these changes will have on governments, workers and employers.

The final purpose of these consultations would be to develop political recommendations with member states, which would help to build the future of work we all want.

Participants of the Lithuanian seminar emphasized in their conclusions that key trends impacting the future of work include demographic changes, globalization and rapid technological changes. It is important to understand that progress should not be afraid of but rather adapted to.

“In the future, decentralized companies, individualized labour relations, slower labour force growth will promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups into the labour market – namely, youth, women, people with disabilities – in order to achieve higher employment rate and sustaining qualified labour force. “ said Prof. Dr. Boguslavas Gruževskis, Director of the Labour Market Research Institute in Lithuania.

“Integration of young women and men is a very high priority, while elderly people should also receive a special attention.” – added Mr Tadas Tamošiūnas, Director of the Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre.

As it was said Mr Mark Keese, Head of the Employment Analysis and Policy Division of the Organization of the Economic Cooperation and Development, “older people are more reluctant to learn and develop their skills. Therefore, it would make sense to search for a motivated group, to apply combined methods – how to develop thinking and sustain employability.”

“Without identifying crucial problems, we will not be able to develop adequate policies to deal with the challenges brought by the changing world of work. National policies and active cooperation with social partners should be complemented by jointly shaped regional policies and strengthened international cooperation, while the involvement of international institutions is also mandatory.” – concluded Mr Gintaras Klimavičius, Viceminister of the of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania.