Achema strike might be suspended due to state of emergency in Lithuania

VILNIUS – The ongoing strike by workers of Lithuania's Jonava-based nitrogen fertilizer producer Achema might need to be suspended due to the declared state of emergency in the country, the Lithuanian Trade Unions' Confederation told BNS.

Under the Labor Code, strikes are banned in regions under a state of emergency.

"We are aware of that and, as far as I know, a sitting of Achema's trade union council has been called because of that. The issue will be resolved, nobody expected that, everyone is in shock today over those events (the war in Ukraine – BNS),) Inga Ruginiene, chair of the Lithuanian Trade Unions' Confederation, told BNS.

Achema workers went on an indefinite strike on Tuesday morning to demand that the company signs a two-year collective agreement on new pay conditions.

Earlier on Thursday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda signed a decree on a state of emergency n the country from 1 p.m. on Thursday through March 10. The Seimas of Lithuania is gathering for an emergency session on Thursday because of that.