Public Service in Lithuania

Public service means legal relations arising after the acquisition of the status of a public servant. Public servant means a natural person, who performs duties in the public service and carries out the public administrative activities. The general management of the public service is performed by the Government of Lithuania and the Minister of the Interior. The Government implements the policy of the public service and performs other functions of the general management of the public service. The Minister of Interior submits to the Government draft legal acts related to the public service, coordinates control over the implementation of the Law on Public Service and performs other functions of the general management of the public service of Lithuania. The public service in Lithuania is based on the principles of the rule of law, equality, loyalty, political neutrality, transparency, responsibility for decisions taken and career development. The basic principles of ethics of public servants in Lithuania are: 1) respect for man and the State. This means that a public servant must respect man and the fundamental human rights and freedoms, the Constitution, the State, its institutions and agencies, laws, other legal acts and court judgements. 2) justice. A public servant must equally serve all residents irrespective of their nationality, race, sex, language, origin, social status, religious believes and political views. 3) disinterestedness. A public servant must observe the public interests, not seek benefit for himself, his family and friends while carrying out official duties. 4) decency. A public servant must behave impeccably, be incorruptible, and refuse gifts or services, exceptional privileges and concessions from persons or organizations while carrying out his official duties. 5) impartiality. A public servant must be objective and avoid personalities in taking decisions. 6) responsibility. A public servant must be personally responsible for his decisions and account for them to the public. 7) publicity. A public servant must ensure the publicity of the decisions and actions taken. 8) exemplariness. A public servant must be tolerant, respectful and orderly, as well as a person of integrity. Public servants in Lithuania can occupy the positions of career public servants, public servants of political (personal) confidence, public managers and acting public servants. The positions of public servants are grouped into three categories: 1) category A comprises positions where higher university education or equivalent education is required, 2) category B comprises positions where education not lower than higher nonuniversity education or equivalent education is required,

3) category C comprises positions where education not lower than secondary education and an appropriate professional qualification is required. The positions of public servants are divided into 20 grades. Grade 20 is the highest one and grade 1 is the lowest one. There are 4 key requirements to admit any person to the public service of Lithuania: 1) the citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania, 2) proficiency in the Lithuanian language, 3) age limit (between 18 years of age and 62 years and 6 months of age), 4) education necessary to hold the office of a public servant of that category. The following person is not eligible for the office of a public servant: 1) the one found guilty of a major crime or a crime against the public service in accordance with the procedure prescribed by laws, and whose conviction has not expired or been expunged, 2) the one whose right to hold the office of a public servant has been restrained by court, 3) the one whose spouse, close relative holds the office of a public servant at a state or municipal institution or agency, and they are related by direct subordination according to their offices held, 4) the one recognized legally incapable in accordance with the procedure prescribed by laws, 5) the one who is a member of an organization that is prohibited in accordance with the procedure prescribed by laws, 6) in cases stipulated by other laws. Public servants have the duties and rights which are stipulated by laws of the Republic of Lithuania. Among general duties that have to be followed by a public servant the following are of key importance: 1) comply with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Lithuania and be loyal to the State of Lithuania, 2) respect human rights and freedoms, serve the public interests, 4) perform the functions specified in the job, 5) adhere to the principles and rules of ethics of public servants, 6) follow the internal regulations of state and municipal institutions and agencies, 7) learn in accordance with the procedure prescribed by this Law, 8) refrain from using work related information otherwise than set forth by laws, 9) refrain from using state or municipal property for activities not related to work; Public servants have the following rights which are set out by laws and other legal acts of Lithuania: 1) right to a career in the public service according to their qualifications, 2) right to receive remuneration, 3) right to training, 4) right to holidays, 5) right to a state social insurance pension, social and other guarantees, 6) right to strike, except for public servants holding the office of the head of a department at a state or municipal institution or agency or senior positions, 7) right to membership in trade unions, organizations or associations, also to membership in political parties, and to participation in political activities not during office (work) time.

Sources http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/NISPAcee/UNPAN012617.pd f