Lithuania Proposes Language Requirement for Foreign Workers in the Service Industry
Key Takeaways
1. The Lithuanian parliament has approved a bill that needs just one more vote to become law.
2. The bill mandates that foreigners working in the service industry, including roles such as sellers and manufacturers, must speak Lithuanian or face potential fines.
3. If enacted, the new regulations will take effect in January 2026.
The Lithuanian Parliament has backed a bill that would impose a language requirement on foreign workers and the companies that hire them. Under the proposed legislation, workers in sectors such as manufacturing, sales, and service provision would need to communicate key information about services and products in Lithuanian.
The Seimas has given initial approval to the bill, with 100 MPs voting in favor, five against, and 14 abstaining. The bill requires just one more vote to become law, and if passed, it will be enforced starting January 2026.
Concerns and Criticisms
Justice Minister Ewelina Dobrowolsa has expressed concerns that the new law could adversely affect more vulnerable workers, such as an Estonian selling sweets at a fair or a Ukrainian selling traditional garments while serving clients in English. The law would apply to all non-Lithuanian languages, including those of EU countries.
Some critics argue that the language requirement may be unnecessary and could create difficulties for foreign workers who are already filling low-paying jobs. Self-employed individuals would be exempt from this requirement.
On social media, opinions are divided. Some users support the measure as sensible, arguing that client-facing employees should speak Lithuanian, while others feel that it could further complicate the lives of those already facing challenges.
Foreign Population in Lithuania
The European Migration Network (EMN) reports that Lithuania is home to approximately 220,000 foreigners. In 2023, around 66,920 people immigrated to Lithuania, while 21,986 emigrated. Lithuanians primarily migrate to Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, and Germany. The largest groups of newcomers to Lithuania in 2023 were Belarusians (15,675), followed by Ukrainians (10,539) and Kyrgyz (3,227).