The Awkward choices facing the Baltic worker: exit or loyalty

LT1991 m. atkūrus Baltijos šalių nepriklausomybę, šiose šalyse įsivyravo neoliberali ideologija, neužtikrinanti tinkamo socialinės apsaugos lygio. Socialinio saugumo mažinimo politika suintensyvėjo 2007-2009 m., griežto taupymo metais. Profesinės sąjungos mėgino protestuoti prieš tokias priemones, bet jų pastangos buvo bevaisės. Per pirmąjį XXI a. dešimtmetį iš savo šalių išvyko apie 10 % darbingo amžiaus lietuvių ir latvių, dar daugiau estų nurodė, kad išvyko laikinai. Albertas O. Hirschmanas teigia, kad „išvykstama, kai neturima balso“. Be to, nusivylimą keliančios blogėjančios sąlygos bei riboti politiniai pasirinkimai lemia tam tikrą lojalumą, nejaučiant savo įtakos. [versta iš angliškos santraukos]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Baltijos šalys (Baltic states); Išėjimai; Vidinė devalvacija; Darbo rinka; Lojalumas; Baltic states; Exit; Internal devaluation; Labor market; Loyalty.

ENLow levels of social protection under the framework of neo-liberal ideology have characterized Baltic welfare regimes since the 1991 restoration of independence in these countries. The policies’ negative social consequences intensified during the years of austerity, 2007-2009. Although there have been trade union protests against the measures, these have been powerless and scattered. About 10% of the Latvian and Lithuanian workforce fled the country during the first decade of the 2000s, whereas an even greater proportion of the Estonian workforce has temporarily done so. In Albert O. Hirschman’s terms, “exit” occurs in the absence of “voice”. Moreover, disillusionment caused by deteriorating conditions and limited political choices generate a particular type of loyalty without a sense of influence. [From the publication]

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