Darbo santykių reglamentavimo politikos kaita Lietuvoje ; Policy change in the regulation of labor relations in lithuania

Abstract

New Labor Code and changes in regulation of labor relations in Lithuania was the most important structural reform in A. Butkevičius Cabinet. This case is interesting because often politicians do not implement unpopular reforms especially in social policy area because they want to be reelected. In this case Labor Code was changed only month before elections. The aim of this paper is to explain why unpopular and controversial decision to change Labor Code was taken before elections. Public policy change in this case is explained using Advocacy coalition framework developed by Paul. A. Sabatier. At first stage of empirical investigation there were identified three main coalitions acting in the subsystem of the regulation of labor relations. Further investigation and empirical evidence related with external factors shows that they were necessary but not sufficient. They created favorable environment for a change, but more important were coalitions ability to use this opportunity. Talking about coalitions strategies in this case there were identified several strategies related with resources that coalitions could use to influence policy process. The most effective was majority strategy which led flexicurity coalition to adopt new Labor Code. This coalition had an advantage because most of its members had formal legal authority to make policy decisions. Supporting coalition for liberalization of labor relations also helped by launching successful lobbying campaigns. In this case it is important to mention the role of opposition in Parliament. Liberals and some members of TS – LKD voted in favor for the new Labor Code and helped to collect required number of votes. The other very important factor in this case was the leadership of Prime Minister A. Butkevičius. Despite the fact that he as a politician was seen as indecisive in this case A. Butkevičius took a role as a leader and mobilized support for this reform. It was expected that the change in regulation of labor relations in Lithuania could also be explained by policy learning. However hypothesis related with learning was not confirmed because in this case there were high level of conflict between coalitions, especially between employers' organizations and trade unions. Also discussion was not based on clear and universally accepted causal theories and there did not exist prestigious forums that could allow members of different coalitions to participate and exchange ideas. There were some changes in some actors' opinions, however they are better explained not by learning but by pragmatic considerations.