Vilnius Official Defends Board Reshuffle Amidst Minister's Criticism

Vilnius Municipality Administration Director Adomas Bužinskas has pushed back against criticism from Social Security and Labor Minister Inga Ruginienė regarding planned changes to the boards of five municipal companies. Ruginienė had publicly condemned the municipality's decision to dissolve and re-form the boards of "ID Vilnius," "Vilniaus vystymo kompanija," "Miesto gijos," "Grinda," and "Vilniaus viešasis transportas" starting October 29.

“

While social dialogue and employee involvement are discussed publicly, manipulations are being undertaken in reality to ensure that employee representatives are not on municipal company boards for another four years.

The minister labeled the move "deplorable and cynical," arguing that the timing, just days before new labor code amendments take effect on November 1, was deliberate. These amendments mandate the inclusion of employee representatives in newly formed state and municipal company boards. Ruginienė asserted that the municipality was trying to hastily assemble boards to exclude employee voices for the next four years.

“

The employee's voice must be and is heard within the Vilnius municipal group.

Bužinskas, however, countered that the employee's voice is heard within the Vilnius municipal group. He emphasized his personal experience serving on and leading boards, as well as completing related courses, to support his perspective. He stated that employee involvement is a complex issue addressed through multiple methods within the group, requiring comprehensive measures rather than a simplistic appointment of a representative.

“

Employee involvement is one of the complex issues, often included in the manager's annual tasks within the Vilnius municipal group. To increase this indicator, comprehensive measures must be applied, not just a blunt statement that an employee representative will be appointed and all problems will be solved.

The municipality's decision, Bužinskas explained, was precisely because of the upcoming labor code changes. He revealed that the municipality had opposed these new regulations from the outset, presenting its arguments, but felt they were not heard. Bužinskas also raised practical concerns about the implementation of the new requirements, questioning who would be eligible to represent employees and on what principles.

“

We did not approve of such a decision from the very beginning and presented our arguments, but we were not heard.