[ad_1]
“We, the employees of LGGRTC, in response to these actions of our management and unable to endure the persecution of the employees, we absolutely support M. Jurkutė and demand the annulment of the order on his dismissal,” the speech reads to the Seimas.
The request received by ELTA also indicates that the decision to dismiss M. Jurkutė, an employee of the Center, was made due to her criticism of the work of LGGRTC and its individual employees.
“Our colleague was forgiven for exercising the rights guaranteed by the Constitution:” having one’s own convictions and expressing them freely “(Art. 25),” criticizing the work of State institutions or officials “(Art. 33). The “inspiring” example of authoritarian regimes was also manifested in the fact that M. Jurkutė’s name was not mentioned in the press release and in the letter to the employees informing about the dismissal. Ironically, while researching the Soviet regime, our colleague experienced for himself what it means to deal with the opinion expressed, “the document reads.
Management increases pressure on employees
The speech, signed by 27 officials of the center, emphasizes that this act by the director of the LGGRTC is the most striking example, but not the only one, of mistrust, incitement to tension and administrative arbitrariness.
We remind the public that the LGGRTC crisis situation has begun to take shape since 2020. July 1, when A. Jakubauskas took over as head of the institution. This appointment was accompanied by public doubts and was not supported by the community of historians. Criticisms of the new administration, to which it did not respond, were increasingly heard in the public sphere, ”the employees say.
“Over time, it has become clear that legitimate expectations of employees are not taken into account, they are increasingly isolated from decision-making processes and there is a tendency to restrict the right of employees to freely express their opinions and beliefs. So far, the administration has not announced any restructuring vision, goals and measures, but has urgently expanded and strengthened the administrative units, increased their powers, ”the appeal also emphasizes.
Employees note that the situation has not started to improve even after historians at the center appealed to the Seimas in January regarding the situation. According to them, the director continued without making any effort to listen to the opinions of the staff, and most of the historians who signed the petition saw their salaries reduced.
“Rather, management is increasing pressure on employees rather than seeking consensus. For most of the employees who signed the petition, the salary was reduced without any justification. A new position has recently been created, one of whose functions clearly show the attitude of the management towards the employees: “Participates in official absences, violations of labor discipline and other similar investigations” – we did not find such functions in positions in ministries.
The director speaks falsely in public when it is useful to him, which further undermines the prestige of the Center, ”the speech to Seimas reads.
Therefore, the petitioners claim that the constant repetition of general expressions of concern and reorganizations planned by the director only overshadows the growing desire for control and secrecy, the increasing restriction of the constitutional freedoms of employees. They emphasize that such a leadership style is incompatible with the principles of modern public administration and academic freedom, which is necessary to conduct important research for Lithuania.
ELTA recalls that the center’s staff approached the president of Seimas at the end of January, concerned about the management of LGGRTC. The speech indicated that LGGRTC employees are concerned about the underestimation of historical science by directing historical research in the direction of ideologization and politicization. In their speech, employees noted that the LGGRTC leadership encourages the public to engage in “defense of history” and “memory wars.” Employees also expressed concern that the center has a tense emotional climate and that pressure from management is forcing experienced historians to leave their jobs. Indignation was also expressed at Vidmantas Valiušaitis, A. Jakubauskas’ senior adviser, journalist, publicist and book author. His competence to fill this position was questioned. Following the tensions, V. Valiušaitis announced his resignation on Saturday.
A. Jakubauskas was appointed director of the center in 2020 at the end of June.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of ELTA.
[ad_2]
