Lithuanian labour inspectorate awaits parliament data in probe into committee staff overtime
The State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) is investigating potential overtime violations by employees of the Seimas Culture Committee while reviewing amendments to the public broadcaster’s law, but is awaiting additional information from the parliamentary chancellery before proceeding, LRT reports.
“We are collecting and assessing data and waiting for further information from the Seimas Chancellery,” a VDI spokesperson told the ELTA news agency. The inspectorate declined to provide details on the timeline or scope of the probe.
The investigation follows a complaint received last week alleging that committee staff may have worked excessive hours during discussions on proposed changes to the law governing Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). Ramūnas Rakauskas, head of the VDI’s Vilnius office, did not specify whether the complaint originated from a committee employee or an external party.
Committee chairman Kęstutis Vilkauskas confirmed awareness of the probe but said he did not know who filed the complaint. The committee last convened on Friday to finalise lawmakers’ proposals, with plans to complete deliberations by Wednesday.
The contested amendments—drafted by a working group appointed by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas—include restructuring LRT’s governance by introducing a new board, altering its council’s composition, and revising dismissal procedures for the director-general. They also propose banning unauthorised media outlets from LRT’s platforms and requiring disclosure of conflicts of interest for contributors affiliated with other media.
Critics, including the Venice Commission, have scrutinised the rushed process. Public protests under the slogan “Hands off free speech! We won’t surrender” have drawn thousands, with a demonstration held in Vilnius’s Cathedral Square over the weekend.
The amendments follow a failed attempt last December to fast-track separate changes simplifying the dismissal of LRT’s director-general.