Linking Labour Market with Higher Education: International Experience Sharing best practices: Lithuania

Latvijas Studentu apvienība Ideju forums “Darba tirgum – derīgs!”

September 29, 2012 Riga, Latvia

Case: Lithuanian National Union of Students vs Ministry of Social Security and Labour and Ministry of Health Care Goal: ensuring sustainable development of the country through employment of students and graduates Approach: legislative amendments Conditions: •  International factor: Global Economic Crisis (2008 - …) •  National factor: Law on Science and Studies (2009) + negative migration balance Time period: 2010 – now

Brief on Lithuania Population (among them being students): 2,988 million (172 708) Number of Higher Educational Institutions: 47 % of population under 34 years with tertiary education: 46,4% Youth unemployment rate: 31,7% Students’ employment rate by study form: •  Bachelors full residence vs low residence – 18,27% vs 61,15% •  Masters full residence vs low residence – 67% vs 73,6%

CAMPAIGNS Political Social

Description of the campaign Campaign on enhancing students’ employability in Lithuania Consulting partner: Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists •  Step 1: Abolition of compulsory health insurance

tax (PSD) for full-time students (€22,30 / month) •  Step 2: Decrease of Social Security Fund’s levy

Step 1. Abolition of compulsory health insurance tax for full-time students  

Timeline: •  Negotiations and lobbying during January - October 2010 •  Active phase of the protest (>5000 letters to the ministry) in

November 2010 •  Result: tax was abolished for more than 90 000 students ->

government compensation over €23 million per year

Step 2. Legislative regulation for decreasing levies for students  

Government of the Republic of Lithuania Roadmap on Fighting Youth Unemployment (2012) •  Highlight on fostering entrepreneurship, not employment Lithuanian National Union of Students 8 Points Programme for Political Parties (2012) •  Decrease of State Social Security Fund Levy for students from

30,98% to 15% for half-time job (up to 20 working hours per week)