Country profile LTU
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for light work | 2016-09-14 ; 2003-07-01 and 2017-06-28 | C138 | Law on Safety and Health at Work of the Republic of Lithuania No. IX1672 - Article 36 ; Resolution No. 518 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 June 2017 “On the Approval of the Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of 18, and the Description of Conditions for the Employment of Children” - Section 13-15 ; Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania - Article 60(1)(3) | [{"link_name":"-Law on Safety and Health at Work","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/f6d686707e7011e6b969d7ae07280e89/asr"},{"link_name":"-Procedure for the organisation of employment, work and vocational training of persons under the age of eighteen, the description of the conditions of employment of children","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.95C79D036AA4/asr"},{"link_name":"-Labour Code","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/46a43c005cd411e79198ffdb108a3753/asr"}] | 14 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | According to Article 36 of the Law on Safety and Health at Work, the employment of children (defined as persons under the age of 16 in Article 2 of the same Text) is prohibited, except for light work. In addition, Section 13 to 15 of the Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of 18, and the Description of Conditions for the Employment of Children sets out that children aged 14 to 16 may be employed to perform light work appropriate to their physical capabilities, which does not negatively affect their safety, health, or physical, mental, moral or social development, and does not interfere with attending school or participating in compulsory education and vocational training programmes, or receiving educational support, provided that the employment conditions established by the Government are met. The Text further provides that, an employer may employ a child aged 14 to 16 only if they have received written consent from one of the child’s parents or another legal representative, a medical certificate issued by a healthcare institution confirming that the child is fit to carry out the specific work; and during the school year, written consent from the school the child attends. Besides, it is worth noting that, according to Article 60(1)(3) of the Labour Code, an employment contract must be terminated without notice if, in the case of an employee under the age of 16, so requested by one of the employee’s parents (), the child’s legal representative, the child’s attending physician, or, during the school year, the educational institution attended by the child. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2017-06-28 | C138 & C182 | Resolution No. 518 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 June 2017 “On the Approval of the Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of 18, and the Description of Conditions for the Employment of Children” - Article 6 | [{"link_name":"Resolution No. 518","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/46a43c005cd411e79198ffdb108a3753/asr"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Article 6 of the Description of the Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of 18, and the Description of Conditions for the Employment of Children”, lists the types of work or vocational training for which young people are not allowed to be appointed due to health and safety risks. Young persons may not be employed in or trained for the activities including exposure to; chemical and industrial processes, explosives and hazardous substances, harmful substances, mechanical and electrical hazards, etc. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2003-07-01 and 2017-06-28 | C138 & C182 | Law on Safety and Health at Work - Article 36 ; Procedure for employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons Under the Age 18 and the Conditions for the Employment of Children | [{"link_name":"-Law on Safety and Health at Work","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.95C79D036AA4/asr"},{"link_name":"-Procedure for employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons Under the Age 18 and the Conditions for the Employment of Children","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/46a43c005cd411e79198ffdb108a3753/asr"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | The prohibition of hazardous work and harmful factors for persons under the age of 18 is established in Article 36, Paragraph 2 of the Law on Safety and Health at Work, which states that when employing persons under the age of eighteen and ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for them, the employer’s representative shall follow the Governmentapproved Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of Eighteen which defines the types of work prohibited for these persons, as well as harmful and hazardous factors. The Description stipulates that persons under the age of 18 must be protected from any specific risk to their safety, health, or development that may arise due to their lack of experience, unawareness of existing or potential risks, or immaturity. In order to protect persons under the age of 18 from any such risks, they may not be employed or involved in practical training if: 1) for objective reasons, they are not physically or psychologically capable of performing the work or practical training tasks; 2) the work or practical training involves exposure to harmful factors, including toxic and carcinogenic substances, mutagenic agents, substances toxic to reproduction, or other factors that may in any way cause long-term damage to human health; 3) the work or practical training involves exposure to harmful radiation; 4) the work or practical training involves a risk of accidents that may go unrecognised or be unavoidable due to a lack of attention to safety, experience, or training among persons under the age of 18; 5) the work or practical training poses a risk to health due to extreme cold or heat, noise, vibration, electromagnetic fields, or ergonomic factors. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2000 | C182 | Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, approved by the Law on the Approval and Entry into Force of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania No. VIII-1968 - Articles 157, 159 and 261 | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/ltu/criminal_code_of_lithuania_html/Lithuania_Criminal_Code_2000_as_amd_2010.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | According to Article 159 of the Criminal Code, a person who, by persuading, requesting, bribing, threatening, deceiving, or by any other means, involves a child in criminal activity shall be punished by community service, a fine, restriction of liberty, arrest, or imprisonment for up to three years. Furthermore, Article 261 of the Criminal Code, states that, a person who distributes narcotic or psychotropic substances among minors shall be punished by a custodial sentence for a term of three up to twelve years. It is also worth noting that, Lithuanian criminal law explicitly establishes liability for the exploitation of children for forced labour or services under Article 157 of the Criminal Code. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2000 | C182 | Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, approved by the Law on the Approval and Entry into Force of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania No. VIII-1968 - Articles 162, 308 and 309 | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/ltu/criminal_code_of_lithuania_html/Lithuania_Criminal_Code_2000_as_amd_2010.pdf"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article 162 of the Criminal Code stipulates that anyone who recruits, forces, or involves a child in pornographic performances, or exploits a child for such purposes, or uses a child in the production of pornographic material, or profits from such activities involving a child, shall be punished. The Text also punishes any person who participates in a pornographic performance involving a child. In addition, Article 308 of the Criminal Code establishes liability for involvement in prostitution. According to para. 3 or this Article, a person who recruits, forces to engage in prostitution or, by any other means, involves in prostitution a minor shall be punished. Furthermore, paragraph 2 of Article 309 of the Criminal Code, punishes any person who produces, acquires, possesses, displays, advertises, offers, or distributes pornographic material depicting a child or a person presented as a child, or who acquires or provides access to such material using information and communication technologies or other means. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1996-10-22 ; 2000-09-26 | C182 | Law on Military Conscription of the Republic of Lithuania No. I1593 - Article 5 ; Criminal Code - Article 105 | [{"link_name":"-Law on Military Conscription of the Republic of Lithuania No. I1593","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.32330/asr"},{"link_name":"-Criminal Code","source_link":"https://vatesi.lrv.lt/public/canonical/1697012277/1045/Criminal_Code.pdf?__cf_chl_tk=b9ZP.LXYkfscIq3sHWirL531TjAqnRUVhwBz7uQrh0s-1760522055-1.0.1.1-T60sFBJVMnYMoNG4ef0ovexh_X0293jq661cAy4hmi0"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | No person under the age of 18 can be legally conscripted or recruited into the armed forces, aligning with international standards such as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Article 5 of the Law on Military Conscription of the Republic of Lithuania provides that conscripts from the untrained military personnel reserve, including those who have not acquired basic military training and are performing other reserve service, are called up for compulsory initial military service from the age of 18 to 23 (inclusive), and those who have submitted a written request may be called up from the age of 18 to 38 (inclusive). Article 105 of the Criminal Code states that a person who, in time of war, during an armed conflict, aggression, occupation or annexation and in violation of international humanitarian law recruits children under the age of 18 years into the armed forces or uses them in a military operation shall be punished by a custodial sentence for a term of three up to ten years. A person who conscripts or recruits children under the age of 18 years into military service in the military groups not belonging to the armed forces of the State or uses them in a military operation shall be punished by a custodial sentence for a term of three up to twelve years. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2000 | C182 | Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania, approved by the Law on the Approval and Entry into Force of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania No. VIII-1968 - Articles 147, 157 and 308 | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/ltu/criminal_code_of_lithuania_html/Lithuania_Criminal_Code_2000_as_amd_2010.pdf"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Paragraph 1 of Article 157 of the Criminal Code states that any person who offers to buy, acquire, sell, transfer, recruit, transport, or detain a child—knowing or intending that the child will be exploited, regardless of their consent—for purposes such as illegal adoption, slavery or similar conditions, prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced or sham marriage, forced labor or services (including begging), criminal activity, or any other form of exploitation, shall be punished with imprisonment from four to twelve years. In addition, according to the paragraph 3 of the Article 308 of the of the Criminal Code, a person who has recruited, engages in prostitution or has involved a minor in any way in prostitution, shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of between three and ten years. Besides, it is also worth noting that Article 147 of the Criminal Code establishes liability for human trafficking, including the exploitation of a person for forced labour or services. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1997-10-14 ; 1991-07-01 ; 2017-07-01 ; 2017-09-14 | C138 | The Law on Vocational Training of the Republic of Lithuania No. VIII450 - Article 6 ; Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania No I1489 - Article 12 ; Law on Employment of the Republic of Lithuania No. XII2470 - Article 37 ; Labour Code - Articles 81–84 | [{"link_name":"-Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania No I1489","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.1480/asr"},{"link_name":"-Law on Employment of the Republic of Lithuania No. XII2470","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/b9ca8ad03de611e68f278e2f1841c088"},{"link_name":"-Labour Code","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/da9eea30a61211e8aa33fe8f0fea665f?jfwid=-k3id7tf7e"},{"link_name":"-Law on Vocational Training of the Republic of Lithuania No. VIII450","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/rs/legalact/TAD/TAIS.404611/format/ISO_PDF/"}] | 14 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Article 6 of the Law on Vocational Training of the Republic of Lithuania stipulates that initial vocational training and apprenticeship is intended for acquiring a first qualification and is provided to individuals not younger than 14 years of age. Article 12 of the Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania states that initial vocational training is provided to students who have acquired basic or secondary education. For students who have completed basic education, it may be provided together with secondary education. This article also provides that initial vocational training may be offered to students who have not acquired basic education, provided they are not younger than 14 years of age, and it is specified that such students must be given the opportunity to continue their studies under the basic education curriculum. The vocational training apprenticeship system and ap is regulated by Article 37 of the Law on Employment and Articles 81–84 of the Labour Code. In addition, Article 37 of the Lithuanian Employment Law and Articles 81 -84 of the Lithuanian Labour Code further develop on the conditions of admission to apprenticeship for children. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2003 | C138 | Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania No I1489 - Articles 23 and 29 ; Labour Code - Article 21 | [{"link_name":"-Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania No I1489","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.1480/asr"},{"link_name":"-Labour Code","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/da9eea30a61211e8aa33fe8f0fea665f?jfwid=-k3id7tf7e"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Article 23 of the Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania defines the age of compulsory education, stating that education is mandatory and guaranteed by the state until the age of 16, according to pre-primary, primary, and basic education programmes. Article 29 of the same law specifies that a child under the age of 16 may not discontinue education under compulsory education programmes. According to Article 21 of the Labour Code, a person acquires full employment capacity (i.e. the ability to have employment rights and obligations) and legal capacity in the field of labour law (i.e. the ability, through their own actions, to acquire employment rights and create employment obligations) upon reaching the age of 16, except in cases provided for by law. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2003-07-01 ; 2017-06-28 | C138 | Law on Safety and Health at Work - Article 36 ; Resolution No. 518 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 June 2017 “On the Approval of the Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of 18, and the Description Conditions for the Employment of Children” | [{"link_name":"-Law on Safety and Health at Work","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.95C79D036AA4/asr"},{"link_name":"-Resolution No. 518","source_link":"https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/46a43c005cd411e79198ffdb108a3753/asr"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Article 36 of the Law indicated that children who perform light work are subject to specific limitations on working hours. Children (aged 14 to 16) may only perform permitted light work during their free time from education, except in cases where specific prohibitions apply. Outside the school year, if the child works for at least one week, they may work up to six hours per day and up to thirty hours per week. During the school year, their working time is limited to twelve hours per week, with a maximum of two hours per day on school days and up to six hours per day on non-school days, provided the work is done during a trimester or semester and not during school hours. indicated that children who perform light work are subject to specific limitations on working hours. Outside the school year, if the child works for at least one week, they may work up to six hours per day and up to thirty hours per week. During the school year, their working time is limited to twelve hours per week, with a maximum of two hours per day on school days and up to six hours per day on non-school days, provided the work is done during a trimester or semester and not during school hours. In the Resolution No. 518 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 28 June 2017 “On the Approval of the Procedure for the Employment, Work and Vocational Training of Persons under the Age of 18, and the Description of Conditions for the Employment of Children” the types of work that children are allowed to perform are specified, as well as a list of prohibited jobs. Children (aged 14 to 16) may perform light work that corresponds to their physical capabilities, does not harm their safety, health, or development, does not interfere with their education under compulsory schooling programs. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2019-08-20 | C138 | Labour Code - Article 21 | [{"link_name":"Labour Code","source_link":"https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/676587f2cf1911e9a56df936f065a619?jfwid=-k3id7tf7e"}] | 16 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | According to Article 21 of the Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania, a natural person acquires full working capacity (the ability to have employment rights and obligations) and legal capacity (the ability to acquire employment rights and create employment obligations through one’s own actions) in the field of labour law upon reaching the age of 16, except in cases provided for by law. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 29-SEP-2003 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 22-JUN-1998 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A multi-sectoral strategy led by the Ministry of the Interior aiming to prevent trafficking, improve victim identification, enhance law enforcement and judicial capacity, foster international coordination, and provide comprehensive victim support—especially tailored to vulnerable groups such as children and refugees. | [{"link_name":"Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking","source_link":"https://vrm.lrv.lt/public/canonical/1722602215/8148/VEIKSM%C5%B2%20PLANAS%2024-26%20Elektroninio+dokumento+nuora%C5%A1as.pdf"}] | 2024-2026 | Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking | Minister of the Interior |
| A comprehensive strategy coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior and implemented in cooperation with the Ministries of Social Security and Labour, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Police, NGOs, and municipal authorities. It covers all phases of the fight against trafficking: prevention (awareness campaigns, school curricula), protection (victim identification, referral mechanisms, care services, temporary residence permits), and prosecution (interdepartmental cooperation, frontline training, police-border control). | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings","source_link":"https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/internal-security/organised-crime-and-human-trafficking/together-against-trafficking-human-beings/eu-countries/lithuania_en"}] | 2020-2022 | National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings | Minister of the Interior |