The European Trade Union Confederation congratulates Inga Ruginiene on her election as Prime Minister of Lithuania.
She has played a crucial role in building the trade union movement. Her leadership within the European Trade Union Confederation has always been focussed on delivering European solutions for the working people of Lithuania, the Baltic region and the whole of Europe.
Following two active mandates on the Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation, Ms Ruginiene was elected Vice-President of the ETUC at the Berlin Congress in May 2023. She contributed to the pay rise campaign and the ETUC’s push for the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive, which is set to promote wage increases for an estimated 20 million workers across the EU.
During her time at the helm of the Lithuanian trade union confederation LPSK, Inga Ruginiene oversaw a modernisation of the image of trade unions, bringing the workers’ perspective into the press and social media spotlight. Her work was decisive in securing significant increases in collective bargaining coverage in Lithuania.
As well as leadership, she has a track record of reaching deals and finding common ground in adversity. Her achievements as part of the tripartite council in Lithuania, reaching agreements with employers, has unlocked increases in the national minimum wage. At European level, she was an important voice representing the ETUC in high level fora, notably at the Tripartite Social Summit addressing President von der Leyen and business leaders to put forward trade union proposals for a European industrial strategy.
The European Trade Union Confederation looks forward to working with Inga Ruginiene and the Lithuanian government at European level to deliver better working and living conditions and a stronger Social Europe.
Inga Ruginiene as Vice-President of the ETUC, with the trade union delegation to the Tripartite Social Summit of the EU on 20/03/2024, to put forward proposals for an EU industrial strategy in discussions with President von der Leyen, President Michel and business leaders. Image © European Union (accessible here)
