Lithuania considers new levy on employers to fund migrant worker protection

Lithuania is considering the creation of a dedicated fund to support exploited migrant workers, financed by a new levy on employers who recruit staff from abroad. The proposal emerged after a preliminary investigation was launched into the alleged exploitation of approximately 140 Filipino workers at two poultry farms in the Rudamina and Kaišiadorys areas.

Audrius Cuzanauskas, head of the Lithuanian Trade Union Alliance, stated that similar abuse cases are widespread in construction, transport, and services, and that organizations defending affected migrants are chronically underfunded. He proposes an Integration Fund modeled on Lithuania's existing Guarantee Fund – a scheme where employers pay a monthly levy of 0.16% of an employee's declared salary, used to pay workers if their employer becomes insolvent. The Guarantee Fund held 206 million euros in assets at the end of 2025.

Under his proposal, employers recruiting workers from outside the EU would pay an upfront deposit before bringing a worker to Lithuania, plus ongoing contributions after employment begins. The money would cover legal advice, interpreting, psychological support for workers in disputes with employers, and funding a safe return home if employment fails.

The idea has been backed by Kristina Mišinienė, director of the Centre Against Human Trafficking and Exploitation, who called it the only serious way out of the current situation. However, she acknowledged that persuading the government would be a struggle.

Lithuania's Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour said it has no current plans to increase employer levies but welcomes broader discussion. Ministry spokesman Justinas Argustas noted that nearly a quarter of all employment disputes now involve non-EU workers.

Business groups oppose the proposal. Vytautas Šilinskas, director of the Investors' Forum, argued that a blanket levy would punish law-abiding employers for the misconduct of bad actors. He suggested instead strengthening enforcement of existing laws, increasing liability across the labor supply chain, and introducing fines and a register of trusted employers.