Lithuania's president to analyze country's new labor code

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Wednesday she would sign the country's new labor code only after consulting employers, organizations, and trade unions.

The code was adopted by the country's parliament a day earlier.

"After receiving the new version of the code, the president will carefully analyze it, she will listen to employers, trade unions and make a decision," the presidency said in an emailed answer to local website vz.lt.

According to the presidency's statement, the head of state has already noted a few clauses that could need to be corrected.

Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, adopted the new labor code on Tuesday after a long period of discussions, negotiations, and protests from trade unions. The parliament expects the new regulation will contribute to bigger labor market flexibility in the Baltic country.

Among the most notable in the law are changes to the annual holiday scheme, regulation of overtime work, dismissal procedures, and size of severance pay.

Most Lithuanian employers welcomed the new law, however, they did not expect the president's immediate approval, vz.lt reported.

If signed, the new code is due to enter into force on Jan. 1, 2017. Endit