The import of foreign workers, whose number in the construction sector alone accounts for more than half of the workforce, is of decisive importance for the competitiveness of the Lithuanian economy, says the real estate development company "Males" Chairman of the Board Arvydas Avulis.
"There is a general trend here, whether we take Lithuania, or Scandinavia, or other countries - still, the construction sector is mainly occupied by immigrants from other countries who are looking for higher earnings and they agree to do the harder work. I think that (in the Lithuanian construction sector - ELTA) there are already more than 50 percent. (for working foreigners - ELTA)", A. Avulis told "Žiniai Radio" on Monday.
Without dismissing the security challenges posed by immigration, he emphasized that Lithuania should not limit the entry of foreign workers, but increase the budget funds allocated to the control of arrivals - otherwise, according to the businessman, the lack of workers could promote economic stagnation.
"We need to increase budget allocations to the area that checks and controls those who come to us - so that there is more care for them, more control," the head of Hanner assured.
According to A. Avulis, in order to avoid economic slowdown, Lithuania must increase its competitiveness - invest in the latest technologies and maintain the appropriate ratio of wage and productivity growth.
"There will be a shortage of workers, wages will increase, and we will immediately lose our competitiveness." And now, let's say, efficiency, labor productivity in Lithuania is not high, it is twice lower than the European Union average. Like it or not, we need to increase efficiency," he added.
Emphasizing that wages in Lithuania will only increase in the near future, the businessman calls the talk that immigrants from third countries are lowering the overall wage level of the country "speculation".
"Statistics show something completely different - salaries in Lithuania are growing and they are growing perhaps the fastest in the European Union. We cannot compare salary increases with Germany or the European Union average, their dynamics are several times higher here," A. Avulis assured.
"But there are limits to everything. Those salaries cannot increase so rapidly - efficiency and productivity should also increase. If productivity increases and salaries increase - everything is fine. We are not doing very well now - wages are increasing, work productivity is increasing very little. There is a flashing yellow light in this place, it is possible that over time it will turn red," explained the businessman.
NT projects in other EU countries as well, for example in neighboring countries in Poland the manager of the developing "Hanner" adds - the future perspective of wage growth may mean an increase not only in the number of workers from third countries, but also in neighboring European countries.
In the first half of 2024, a record number of issued work permits was recorded, especially the number of workers from Central Asia increased, the Employment Service reports. According to the data of the service, 410 permits for third-country nationals to work seasonally were issued this year. This is 5 times more than a year ago. Half of all issued work permits were received by Uzbek citizens.
According to the data of the service, on July 1 138,3 thousand people worked in Lithuania. third-country nationals from 132 countries. This is 20,4 thousand. more than a year ago. Two thirds were Belarusians and Ukrainians. The number of Uzbeks working in Lithuania has exceeded 6 thousand. It is estimated that 5,6 thousand people also worked in Lithuania. Kyrgyz and 4,6 thousand Citizens of Tajikistan.
During the first half of the year, 5,9 times fewer permits were issued to citizens of foreign countries to work under an employment contract than during the same period in 2023. period. This is the lowest number of work permits issued in five years. However, the number of decisions regarding the conformity of a foreigner's work to the needs of our labor market increased - in six months, 2,2 times more of these documents (3041) were issued than at the same time last year. This is one of the highest number of decisions made in five years.
Decisions were made for foreigners arriving from 52 countries (last year - from 49). Decisions for citizens of Belarus dominated (30%) - increased from 8%. up to 22 percent The share of decisions made for Uzbek citizens has increased. Next - Kyrgyzstan (11%), Tajikistan (8%). Citizens of Uganda, Congo, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and other distant countries have also acquired the right to work in our country.
Ła Klimaševska (ELTA)
