What may happen to Lithuania’s new Labour Code? 3 scenarios

Below are three possible scenarios of what might happen with the Labour Code.

Scenario One – Parliament Overrules Presidential Veto

After deciding on Saturday to reopen discussions on the law, the Seimas may overrule the president’s amendments and uphold the law adopted in June. The decision must be supported by at least 71 votes in Lithuania’s 141-seat parliament.

The scenario is supported by the Lithuanian Business Confederation and the Investors’ Forum, as well as Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party, parliamentary Economic Committee Chairman Remigijus Žemaitaitis of the ruling Labour Party and Eugenijus Gentvilas, the leader of the political group of the opposition Liberal Movement.

After overruling the veto, MPs may soon discuss amendments that would take better consideration of the interests of trade unions.

Scenario Two – Parliament Approves Presidential Amendments

After deciding on Saturday to reopen discussions into the law, the Seimas may next week support the changes to the law proposed by the president. The decision requires a simple majority of votes, but at least 71 parliamentarians are required to take part in the ballot.

Trade unions have called for accepting the president’s amendments, seconded by the opposition conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats and the leader of the parliament’s Social Affairs and Labour Committee, Kristina Miškinienė of the Social Democrats.

After approving the president’s proposals, MPs may soon discuss amendments taking better consideration of business interests.

Scenario Three – Parliament Keeps Old Labour Code

The parliament may also decide on Saturday to scrap the new code altogether – this require a simply vote majority. In this case, the old Labour Code would remain in effect, and the reform of labour relations would be left for the new parliament to be elected on Oct. 9.

The version is discussed as a possibility by those who believe that overruling the veto will come a few votes short and the code with the president-proposed amendments would be worse than the existing law. The version is considered as the most realistic by Kęstutis Daukšys, the leader of the Labour Party’s political group.