Human rights organisations and trade unions in Lithuania expressed concern about widespread exploitation of foreign workers in the country, BNS reported. Trade unions said that third-country nationals often had their passports or residence permits taken away at work, were assigned jobs different from those agreed, and were being subjected to excessive overtime and arbitrary fines. Also, contracts were often drawn up in Lithuanian only, and many foreign workers did not know how and where to get help. Audrius Cuzanauskas, chairman of the Lithuanian Trade Union Alliance (LPSA), said that 30-40% of migrant workers leave the country because they cannot endure the harsh working conditions and exploitation. He noted that foreign workers were being exploited at large enterprises as well. He asserted that regulatory institutions were failing to provide adequate protection for foreign workers.
Headlines