Lithuania moves to strengthen rights for gig workers as parliament considers labour code changes

Proposed amendments would address opaque pay, algorithmic penalties and employment classification for platform workers at Bolt, Wolt and Uber

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Lithuania's parliament is considering amendments to the Labour Code that would improve working conditions and social protections for thousands of drivers and couriers working through digital platforms such as Bolt, Wolt and Uber, in a bid to implement the European Union's Platform Work Directive by December.

Around one in 10 workers in Lithuania provide services through such platforms, where declining pay and opaque payment systems have become major concerns, according to workers and their representatives.

"One of the biggest problems is that there is no clear system for determining pay," said Linas Mazgeika, head of the Platform Workers' Trade Union. "There is no legal agreement on specific remuneration. Platforms have the ability to regulate this issue unilaterally."

Drivers also report that algorithmic decisions can reduce their income if they reject orders, with little insight into how the systems operate. Labour law expert Emilija Švobaitė noted that automated systems can restrict accounts or leave workers without assignments, which under traditional labour law "could be equivalent to downtime."

Several ride-hailing drivers have taken court cases arguing that their arrangements amount to disguised employment. "Everyone driving for Bolt felt like an employee, but had absolutely no social guarantees," said driver Donatas Čyžius.

Deputy Social Security and Labour Minister Tadas Vinokuras said the amendments aim to ensure workers know the conditions under which they work, why they receive certain orders, and are not unfairly penalised for refusing an order. "People are looking for flexible working conditions and find a platform where they can work. But you cannot say that they are entrepreneurs," he said.

The changes would also allow platform workers to bring disputes before the Labour Disputes Commission, a route previously unavailable because many platforms are registered outside Lithuania.

Tomas Tomilinas, chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs and Labour, acknowledged challenges in representing workers not formally classified as employees. "Transposing these provisions will not be easy," he said.

Parliamentary consideration is expected to continue in November, with the EU directive requiring implementation by December.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The proposed changes could set a precedent for how Lithuania regulates the rapidly growing platform economy, affecting thousands of workers.
If passed, they would bring platform workers under greater social protection, potentially increasing costs for companies like Bolt, Wolt and Uber.
The debate reflects a broader European push to reclassify gig workers and address algorithmic management, with implications for business models across the EU.

Background

Lithuania is transposing the European Union's Platform Work Directive, which requires member states to ensure platform workers have clearer employment status and protections against algorithmic discrimination. The directive, adopted in 2024, gives countries until December 2026 to implement it. The Lithuanian Labour Code amendments under consideration would assess whether platforms or workers control key conditions such as working hours, order volume and pricing, to determine if an employment relationship exists.

Key Perspectives

Platform Workers' Trade Union (Linas Mazgeika): Says there is no clear system for determining pay and platforms can unilaterally regulate remuneration. Labour law expert Emilija Švobaitė: Notes that algorithmic decisions can leave workers without assignments, which traditional labour law could treat as downtime, and that when a platform controls key decisions, the arrangement may show signs of an employment relationship. Deputy Social Security and Labour Minister Tadas Vinokuras: Says the goal is to ensure transparency and prevent unfair penalties, adding that platform workers are not entrepreneurs and should have certain guarantees. Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs and Labour chairman Tomas Tomilinas: Warns that representing workers not formally classified as employees will be difficult, but that the committee will seek ways to ensure genuine representation.

What to Watch

The progress of the Labour Code amendments through the Seimas in November.
Whether platform companies push back on provisions that could reclassify workers as employees.
The European Commission's monitoring of member state implementation of the Platform Work Directive, which may raise legal challenges.

Sources

Proposed law could give Lithuanian platform workers more rights and social protections · LRT English

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedLithuania is moving to strengthen gig workers’ rights as parliament considers Labour Code changes.LRT English: “Proposed law could give Lithuanian platform workers more rights and social protections. Lithuania’s parliament, Seimas, is considering changes to labour law”
Partly supportedThe amendments would improve working conditions and social protections for thousands of platform drivers and couriers.LRT English: “changes to labour law that could improve working conditions, increase social protections and make pay and management decisions more transparent for thousands of drivers and couriers”
SupportedThe amendments would address opaque pay, algorithmic penalties and employment classification.LRT English: “Drivers also say they can face penalties for rejecting orders. Algorithmic decisions may result in drivers receiving fewer orders for a period, reducing their income.”
SupportedLithuania must implement the EU Platform Work Directive by December.LRT English: “Lithuania must implement the EU directive by December.”
SupportedAround one in 10 Lithuanian workers provide services through platforms such as Bolt, Wolt and Uber.LRT English: “Around one in 10 workers in Lithuania are couriers or ride-hailing drivers providing services through such platforms.”
Partly supportedPay has declined and opaque payment systems are a major concern, according to workers and their representatives.LRT English: “For many, the work offers a way to earn additional income, but workers say declining pay and opaque payment systems have become major concerns.”
Partly supportedMazgeika said there is no legal agreement on specific remuneration and platforms can regulate the issue unilaterally.LRT English: ““There is no legal agreement on specific remuneration. Whether it is payment for a particular task or an hourly rate, there is no such agreement. Platforms have the ability to regulate this issue unilaterally,” he said.”
Partly supportedSeveral ride-hailing drivers have taken court cases arguing that their arrangements amount to disguised employment.LRT English: “Several ride-hailing drivers have taken their cases to court. ... He said drivers consulted lawyers who concluded that the arrangements could involve disguised employment relationships”
SupportedŠvobaitė said automated restrictions could leave workers without assignments, which under traditional labour law could be equivalent to downtime.LRT English: “Automated systems can make decisions such as restricting an account, she said, potentially leaving workers without assignments. “In terms of traditional labour law, this could be equivalent to downtime,” Švobaitė said.”
SupportedThe amendments would let platform workers take disputes to the Labour Disputes Commission, a route unavailable to many because platforms are registered outside Lithuania.LRT English: “They would also allow platform workers to bring disputes before the Labour Disputes Commission, a route that has not been available to many because digital platforms are registered outside Lithuania.”
SupportedParliamentary consideration is expected to continue in November.LRT English: “Parliamentary consideration of the amendments is expected to continue in November.”