Inga Ruginienė returns to Social Security and Labour Ministry with warm welcome

Former Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has returned to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (SADM), where she was greeted with smiles and warm embraces, she told reporters ahead of the first meeting of the 21st Government.

“I was welcomed with many smiles and warm hugs. It feels as if no time has passed at all, as if I’m continuing the same work I started. I came back as if returning home. People come out of their offices, smile, and we exchange updates on various tasks. The atmosphere is very good, and I truly feel great,” Ruginienė said.

She has already begun work meetings, with her immediate priority being the organisation of the upcoming autumn session of the Seimas (parliament).

“Today we’ve already had several meetings and need to arrange certain matters. We will outline the main tasks for the autumn session. But it’s clear there are issues related to the transfer of directives, and today I discussed the long-term care reform with the vice minister—we need to finalise it as soon as possible because it has been delayed for far too long,” Ruginienė said.

She also mentioned planned changes related to workers’ rights, including reforms to the labour dispute system to make it more accessible. Collective bargaining agreements are another current focus.

Ruginienė previously served as Minister of Social Security and Labour in the government led by Gintautas Paluckas. When she became Prime Minister, Jūratė Zailskienė was appointed to replace her at the ministry.

Ruginienė’s government resigned after the ruling coalition was reshuffled and Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced he would take on the role of leading a new cabinet. The new government, formed by Sinkevičius, held its first meeting on Tuesday. The day before, it officially received its mandate after the Seimas approved its programme and the new Prime Minister and cabinet members took their oaths.

Reporting by LRT, ELTA.