The Seimas of Lithuania is considering amendments to the Law on the State Language, which will stipulate that the self-employed must also be able to communicate in Lithuanian, writes the LRT.
The amendments will have a special impact on those foreigners who work in Lithuania using apps that allow you to order trips. However, the author of the initiative, MP Raimundas Lopata of the Liberal Movement, pointed out that the amendments are not aimed only at self-employed drivers. Lopata said that there should be a control mechanism to monitor how those working in the service sector learn the national language. In relation to drivers who do not speak the national language, there are two dominant problems that the language barrier does not allow to be solved: the app shows the wrong location or the passenger needs help.
Audrius Valotka, the head of the Lithuanian State Language Inspectorate, stated that the State Language Law was adopted in 1995 and is outdated. He said: «At that time, employment relations were based on an employment contract, and there were no other forms. If the law is interpreted accurately, it does not apply in cases where there is no employment contract between the employer and the employee. As self-employed persons,
drivers are not obliged to communicate with their customers in the national language, and they take advantage of this.»
If the changes to the law are approved, those employed through Bolt and other apps will have to pass the Lithuanian language exam at the A2 level.
Dalius Rudokas, the chairman of the Association of Couriers and Drivers, stated that he is waiting for amendments to the law. He also informed that foreigners who do not speak Lithuanian, but want to continue working, will learn the language, and added that this will also sort out persons who really want to stay and work in Lithuania.
Andrius Pacevičius, head of Bolt Lithuania, said that the implementation of the changes should be evaluated positively. He said: «So far, we have actively cooperated with the authorities implementing these requirements. The discussion has moved to the Seimas, so we are ready to share our insights and make proposals to lawmakers.» Pacevičius emphasized that the Bolt app almost frees from verbal communication because the route, price, and destination are already determined before the start of the trip, while during the trip it is possible to use the automatic translator included in the app.
Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1945081/lithuania-to-require-self-employed-foreigners-to-know-lithuanian
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