After meeting with Simon, both companies and unions talk in unison: vaccination is the only way

On Monday, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė met with union and employer representatives to discuss emerging uncertainties regarding new restrictions on managing the pandemic that will take effect on September 13.

Employee and employer representatives were most concerned about the problems of mandatory testing. Unions also oppose proposals to deduct COVID-19 sickness benefits for people who are sick but not vaccinated.

The Minister of Social Security and Labor, Monika Navickienė, explains that during the meeting the intention was to listen to the expectations and problems of the social partners and discuss possible solutions, how the legislation should be changed later.

During the meeting, we managed to feel a united attitude that both employers and unions do not doubt that vaccination is the only way to create safe environments both at work and in society. This is the only way to provide treatment to everyone who needs it. And today there is a threat that as morbidity increases, treatment services may be less accessible, ”said M. Navickienė after the meeting.

He was supported by both business and union representatives, who had previously had doubts about September 13.

“Today we send a clear message that after September 13, nothing will change and the employees who must take the test can do it in all official test centers, free of charge, and the state will pay for it. That in no way the requirements to pay for tests or the application to present passports in the workplace are regulated by legal acts and should not be like that, ”said Inga Ruginienė, president of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation, noting that she leaves the meeting in a very good mood.

Andrius Romanovskis, president of the Lithuanian Business Confederation, says: “Everyone unequivocally agrees that a safe environment is a priority and managing a pandemic is a priority.”

“We believe that vaccination is the only and most effective way to control a pandemic. And here it is just a matter of political leadership. We have made it very clear that employers will support all steps to manage a pandemic, whether it is a passport to opportunity. or a test, ”says Romanovskis.

According to him, entrepreneurs are a bit concerned about technical problems to get free trials due to high queues and lack of capacity.

According to him, employers have no questions about the mandatory medical check-up.

“The only effective answer is vaccination,” Romanovsky said.

Minister M. Navickienė added that to speed up vaccination, mobile points, the so-called “vaccination buses”, can return to workplaces, solutions will be tried and due to the lack of test volumes.

“In a few weeks we will have to assess how the vaccination rhythm changes, if we see that the results are positive, it will also lead to certain decisions, which will be reflected in the projects that we will consider in the Government and the Seimas in autumn”, says M. Navickienė.

The controversy over sickness benefits persists

Sick benefits for people who reject the COVID-19 vaccine but then fall ill differ between ministries and unions.

“This is a debatable issue, it has also been discussed, it has not yet been presented to the Government, we still do not have a specific project. However, raising the question of whether a person’s decision not to be vaccinated could lead to the absence of additional income in case of illness, is still relevant today, but there are no final decisions, ”said M. Navickienė.

The president of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation I. Ruginienė assured that she takes a coherent position.

“We have made it clear that we are consistent in our position that non-payment of sickness benefits would be a disproportionate measure not to vaccinate. Definitely other solutions should be sought, ”says I. Ruginienė.

The main uncertainties are: who should pay for the tests, what can be required of employees

It has already been announced that both workers’ representatives and employers face endless uncertainties and misunderstandings during September 13. First of all, it is still unclear at whose expense the mandatory employee testing should be performed: whether the testing should be paid for by employers or employees. Unions are hearing complaints that workers must take time-off tests and employers are demanding to pay for the tests.

Starting September 13, employees of production companies will be required to test at least every 10 days and no more than 7 days. Until now, this obligation has applied to carriers, restaurants, leisure, entertainment, cultural institutions, etc. Vaccinated or sick workers do not need to be tested.

Another uncertainty is the possibility of removing an employee from the office if he refuses to be vaccinated and cannot work remotely. Unions are criticizing these plans and employers would like the opportunity to ask workers to confirm their immunity to illness or a negative test.

Unions are also outraged by proposals not to pay COVID-19 sickness benefits to unvaccinated people covered by mandatory health insurance. Earlier, I. Ruginienė claimed that paying taxes would make the country’s people less attractive, drastic measures “that do not comply with the principle of proportionality.”

Danas Arlauskas, president of the Lithuanian Employers’ Confederation, warns that thousands of employees work in manufacturing companies and that employers will face significant challenges when the testing infrastructure is not enough for everyone who wants to.

“The most important issue is that there is no algorithm, as it will be after September 13, or when the new law comes into force. (…) We don’t have a complete system at all. How will they assess whether it is a manufacturing company or an entire company, what are the arrangements for disqualifications, what arrangements for testing, who will actually pay for testing, whether the employee can be required, and how the employee will be tested in addition? . We have no answer to those questions, “said D. Arlauskas before meeting with I. Šimonyte.

He stressed that there are manufacturing companies with thousands of employees, if employers are forced to pay for periodic tests each week, financial performance would worsen.

“In some companies, almost 100 percent. Have already been vaccinated, why should employers be responsible for that small percentage or even an employee who is not vaccinated. (…) The question is whether it is really necessary to include those companies if such a high percentage is vaccinated ”, commented D. Arlauskas.