Lithuania: customers assess supermarket service, working conditions worsen

The dark legend of retailing in Lithuania. Information provided by SAMPRO and the food workers’ union portray bad industrial relations in the sector. Work days are endless (four 12-hour days followed by four days of rest in the Maxima or Rimi supermarkets), not mentioning undeclared extra hours, and employees who are often subject to tasks that aren’t listed in their contract. All this for the 800 gross litai (670 net, less than €200) of minimum wage for basic employees, completed, depending on the circumstances, by a few undeclared bonuses and supplements, allowing them to earn up to 900-1,000 litai (€300). Bank holidays are usually worked and paid normally. Besides, in winter, heating isn’t always guaranteed: several stores of the Norfa chain went without it these past few months.
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t to tasks that aren’t listed in their contract. All this for the 800 gross litai (670 net, less than €200) of minimum wage for basic employees, completed, depending on the circumstances, by a few undeclared bonuses and supplements, allowing them to earn up to 900-1,000 litai (€300). Bank holidays are usually worked and paid normally. Besides, in winter, heating isn’t always guaranteed: several stores of the Norfa chain went without it these past few months.

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