There is no need to doubt these data – we can only ask what kind of economic miracle has befallen Lithuania
Lithuania looks enviable – unemployment decreased well over the year in the neighboring countries of Latvia, Poland, and Estonia, and this indicator fell below the EU average. Such a high level of employment has not been seen during the entire monitoring period since 1998.
The reliability of Eurostat cannot be doubted. One can only ask what kind of economic miracle befell Lithuania during the year.
Apparently, the dog was buried under the papers of the law amendments that came into force. The category of persons preparing for the labor market appeared in them.
This status is acquired by job seekers whose employment is identified as an obstacle. At the beginning of November, 18.3 thousand were assigned to this category. people and they are no longer registered as unemployed, but become those preparing to work.
This measure can help them enter the labor market, of course, if they want to. Using case management, the consultants of the Employment Service (UT) after individually assessing the back of an unemployed person, find out what are the reasons that prevent him from getting a job and what services he needs to be able to work.
Sociological studies show that even 55.6 percent persons preparing for the labor market are hindered by lack of social skills and motivation to work.
About a quarter of people who have acquired this status do not have the opportunity to move from their place of residence to the workplace, as one in ten cares for a family member, one in ten has limited access to cash and they avoid working legally.
It is perhaps the most difficult to employ persons addicted to alcohol, narcotics and other psychoactive substances, and this group makes up 5.3 percent. persons preparing for work.
However, some obstacles to work have to be removed. For example, the municipality of Joniškis has clarified the public transport schedule and even finances free rides on special routes to workplaces.
This has already helped some job seekers to find employment.
Learning support is definitely useful too. New tools have appeared: UT offers non-formal adult education activities and even studies for the acquisition of qualifications and competences that create high added value.
During this year, more than 13 thousand people have already joined the learning programs. persons, and 800 of them seek to acquire qualifications and competences of high added value.
Especially great interest is observed in the field of information technology. These specialists are welcome in the labor market.
It is believed that by the middle of 2026, close to 20 thousand people will acquire qualifications and competences that create high added value. people preparing for the labor market.
However, the road to the labor market is not paved with roses for all unemployed persons. Almost 70 percent about 44 percent of these people are over 50 years old. have no professional training, one in six is disabled.
Older people are prevented from working by the established stereotypes in society that they are more likely to get tired, inactive and unpromising.
This is what I think of employers, and even older people do not trust their own strength.
However, the productivity of older people is largely determined by social conditions and the attitude of employers towards them. Researchers in the USA, Hong Kong and Lithuania, who analyzed data from 36 countries, announced that people are more active and work in countries with well-financed health care.
The world is rapidly aging and it will be increasingly necessary to keep people out of the labor market for as long as possible. When they have good conditions to take care of their health, and they are active and able-bodied in their older age.
The sense of meaningfulness of work is also very important. For example, in Sweden, people do not change jobs during their careers, looking for the most suitable ones, and when they reach an older age, they are already involved in activities that satisfy them and that they like.
Employers should therefore aim to make employees of all ages feel welcome and valued for their experience, which requires promoting age diversity and creating an inclusive workplace culture.
Few places in Lithuania have created such a perfect working environment. Moreover, it is not only older people who often prefer to be unemployed.
Changes in the employment law make it somewhat more difficult for people who avoid work.
It is noticeable that, for example, in the city of Vilnius and in the district of Lazdija, the status of those preparing for the labor market has been granted to almost the same number of persons, although there are 30 times more people living in the capital.
Of course, most municipalities do not have wider employment opportunities in Vilnius. But there are other reasons. Probably, in big cities, more people work illegally and want, without complicating or life lessons, only to preserve the support provided to the unemployed.
In addition, in small municipalities, UT specialists recognize their clients much better, know the reasons why they are not working, and it is easier to convince them to choose the status of a person preparing for the labor market.
It seems that at least a considerable part of those who have not worked for a long time should be returned to the labor market, but the principle of gingerbread should be applied.