The Institute of works councils : specific theoretical and practical features. The case of Lithuania

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Darbdavys; Darbo santykiai; Darbo tarybos; Darbuotojas; Darbuotojo atstovavimas, darbo tarybos, profesinės sąjungos, darbo santykiai, socialinė partnerystė; Darbuotojų atstovavimas; Profesinės sąjungos; Socialinė partnerystė; Žmogaus teisės; Employee; Employee representation; Employer; Human rights; Labour relations; Social partnership; Trade unions; Works councils.

ENThe article presents a critical analysis of one of the aspects of collective labour relations, mainly employee representation at the company level via works councils. The emergence of the institute of works councils in Lithuania was determined by general Euro-integration processes and the need to develop and promote social dialogue. As we know, after the restoration of independence in Lithuania employee representation at the company level by trade unions was very poor. Therefore, with the view to taking over the tradition of collective labour relations prevailing in Western Europe and promoting the process of collective bargaining and collective agreements, a special law was adopted in Lithuania in 2004 to provide for the establishment and functioning of an alternative employee representation body, works councils. This article aims to reveal, by means of various research methods, the content of EU and national legal norms governing the status of works councils and to show, based on various surveys conducted in the country, the current realistic situation of employee representation in Lithuania. [From the publication]