SEASONAL WORK IN LITHUANIA: what is worth to know?

4 days ago

Seasonal work in Lithuania is becoming an increasingly popular choice every year due to the variety of job offers, which depend on the seasons and the specific needs of different sectors. While seasonal jobs used to be mostly associated with agriculture and tourism, today their scope has expanded to include various fields – from retail to logistics and construction. Seasonal work provides an opportunity to try out different sectors and gain diverse experience. In this article, we will discuss the sectors in Lithuania where seasonal jobs are most commonly found, the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal work, and how the conditions of seasonal jobs differ from those of long-term positions.

Sectors with Popular Seasonal Work:

Seasonal jobs in Lithuania are highly varied and distributed across sectors depending on the season. Here are the main fields where seasonal work is most often available:

1. Agriculture: Agricultural jobs usually involve harvesting, planting, picking fruits and vegetables, packaging, and other tasks depending on seasonal needs. These positions are needed in spring, summer, and occasionally in autumn. Seasonal work in agriculture is most commonly found in the Marijampolė, Kaunas, Šilutė, Ukmergė, Panevėžys, Vilnius, Tauragė, and Raseiniai regions, which are known for grain, vegetable, fruit, and berry farming.

Salaries: According to the Employment Service, the average monthly salary in the agricultural sector is around €1,063 before taxes, but unskilled workers are often offered the minimum wage, about €840 per month. Salaries vary depending on the location, job complexity, and the worker's performance.

2. Tourism and Hospitality Sector: Lithuania is quite a popular tourist destination, and during the summer, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tour guides often look for additional staff. This is an excellent option for young people, students, or retirees seeking temporary work. Seasonal jobs in this sector are especially popular in Palanga, Neringa, Trakai, Druskininkai, and Vilnius Old Town, where the number of tourists increases annually.

Salaries: In some restaurants in Lithuania, waiters can earn from €800 to €1,000 per month "in hand", while others may offer €1,000 to €1,200. However, it's important to note that waiters' earnings consist of a base salary and tips, which can amount to €50 to €100 or more per day, depending on the workload and customer generosity.

3. Retail: During holiday periods, especially Christmas or other festive times when shopping malls see a peak in customers, stores hire additional employees to meet the increased demand. The most common positions in this sector are sales assistants, cashiers, and product packers.

Salaries: Sales assistants' salaries can range from €800 to €1,200 per month "in hand", depending on experience and the number of hours worked.

4. Construction Sector: The time of year and weather conditions greatly influence the construction sector, so in warmer months, companies in Lithuania intensively carry out construction work and offer various seasonal job positions, from construction workers to specialists.

Salaries: Unskilled workers, such as helpers, can earn between €800 and €1,250 per month "in hand", while skilled workers, such as concrete specialists, can earn between €1,100 and €1,800, depending on experience.

5. Logistics Sector: The growth of online stores and e-commerce creates an increased need for workers in warehouses and logistics centers, especially before holidays or during peak sales weeks. Common seasonal positions in this sector are warehouse workers, order pickers, and packers.

Salaries: Warehouse workers can earn between €1,000 and €1,500 per month "in hand", while order pickers and packers earn slightly less, between €800 and €1,300 "in hand". Salaries can vary depending on the company, location, and the worker's experience.

6. Event Organization: Numerous cultural events, music festivals, sports events, and other large gatherings take place in Lithuania during the summer and beyond, so seasonal workers are needed for event management and service. Common positions in this field include event service staff, food and drink vendors/waiters, ticket checkers/registers, and event maintenance workers.

Salaries: It's quite difficult to specify the exact salaries for these jobs, as compensation varies depending on several factors, such as the nature of the work, working hours, location, event size, and employer capabilities. For example, some employers may offer the minimum hourly wage of around €4.57 "in hand", while others may offer from €9 per hour "in hand".

Advantages of Seasonal Work:

Seasonal work offers several key advantages for both workers and employers.

1. Additional Income: Seasonal jobs are a great way to earn extra money, especially if the work is temporary without long-term commitments.

2. Flexibility: Seasonal jobs often allow workers to set their own schedule. This is a great option for those with other activities, part-time workers, or students who can only work during the summer.

3. Skill Development: Seasonal work allows individuals to gain new experiences and improve various skills. This can help when seeking long-term job opportunities or transitioning to other positions.

4. Career Opportunities: Although seasonal jobs are usually temporary, sometimes they can lead to long-term employment if the worker demonstrates good results and motivation to continue working.

Disadvantages of Seasonal Work:

Although seasonal work has many advantages, it is not always the ideal choice for everyone.

1. Temporary Nature: The biggest downside is that seasonal work only lasts for a limited time and is not permanent, so workers may find themselves without a job after the season ends.

2. Irregular Working Hours: In some seasonal jobs, working hours are irregular. This means the job may last longer than expected, which can interfere with other activities or leisure time.

3. Limited Benefits: Seasonal workers are often not provided with health insurance, vacation, or other employee benefits that permanent employees receive.

4. Physical Strain: Some seasonal jobs, particularly in agriculture or construction, require physically demanding work, which is further complicated by weather changes.

5. Lack of Career Growth: Seasonal jobs often don't offer significant career advancement opportunities since they are short-term and not always linked to long-term positions.

Skills Needed to Find Seasonal Work:

Although seasonal work in Lithuania typically doesn't require additional knowledge and experience, as employees are trained on-site, certain skills may be needed depending on the nature of the job.

1. Basic Skills: Many seasonal jobs require basic skills, such as the ability to communicate with customers.

2. Specialized Skills: In some fields, such as construction or agriculture, specialized skills or licenses may be needed, such as vehicle driving or experience working with tools.

3. Physical Fitness: Some seasonal jobs, especially in agriculture or construction, require good physical fitness to carry out strenuous tasks.

3. Language Skills: In some sectors, such as tourism, foreign language skills may be necessary to communicate with international tourists.

Can Minors Work Seasonal Jobs?

Yes, minors can work seasonal jobs, but in Lithuania, there are strict labor laws regulating the working conditions for minors. Here are some key aspects:

Employment Contract: According to Lithuanian law, minors under the age of 16 cannot sign an employment contract without parental or guardian consent. Parents must sign a consent form and confirm that they agree to their child's employment and take responsibility for the minor's working conditions.

Working Hours Limitations: Minors aged 16–17 can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Minors are not allowed to work overtime. Exceeding working hours is strictly regulated.

Dangerous Work Restrictions: Minors cannot perform hazardous work, such as working with heavy machinery, dangerous chemicals, or at heights, in order to ensure their safety and health.

Salary and Taxes: Minors, like adults, are entitled to receive payment for their work, but their wages may be lower since they work fewer hours and perform lighter tasks. Minors must also pay taxes according to applicable laws.

Seasonal work in Lithuania is an excellent opportunity to earn extra income and gain various experiences, but it does not provide the stability and guarantees that some people may want. While seasonal work has its advantages, it cannot serve as a primary source of livelihood and offer the benefits that long-term jobs provide. When choosing seasonal work, you should carefully evaluate which factors have a greater impact on you – the advantages or disadvantages of seasonal work.