The Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania () is a government department of the Republic of Lithuania. Its operations are authorized by the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, decrees issued by the President and Prime Minister, and laws passed by the Seimas (Parliament). Its mission is to prosecute state social security and labour branch ruling functions and realize state policy in these branches.Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania The current head of the Ministry is Jūratė Zailskienė.
History On 11 November 1918, the Republic of Lithuania established a short-lived Ministry of Public Works and Food Supply (). Its purpose was to address the dire social situation following the devastation of the World War I. It had three departments: social security, food supply and labour. However, on 29 October 1919 the ministry was merged into the Ministry of the Interior and its original departments were reorganized several times during the interwar period. The ministry and its departments were early institutions concerning the social welfare and are considered to be the predecessors of the present day Ministry of Social Security and Labour.
Function The Ministry plays a critical role in addressing social inequalities and supporting vulnerable groups in Lithuania. The Minister is responsible for overseeing and developing policies related to social security, labor, and welfare. The Minister ensures the effective implementation of programs aimed at providing social protection, including pensions, unemployment benefits, and support for vulnerable groups. They regulate the labor market to ensure fair working conditions, safe workplaces, and equitable employment opportunities. The Minister also represents Lithuania in international forums concerning labor and social security matters, collaborating with EU institutions and international organizations. Additionally, the Minister advises the government and the president on social and labor-related issues, contributing to the development of national policies.
Ministers The Minister of Social Security and Labour () is a member of the executive branch of the Government of Lithuania. The minister is responsible for shaping and overseeing the country's social security, labor market, and welfare policies. The Minister leads the Ministry in developing and implementing programs aimed at improving social protection, ensuring fair labor conditions, and enhancing employment opportunities. The current incumbent is Inga Runginienė who took office on 12 December 2024.
Ministry of Social Security Term Minister Party Prime Mninister (Cabinet) Office Start date End date Time in office 1 Algis Dobravolskas (born 1951) Independent Kazimiera Prunskienė 17 January 1990 10 January 1991 2 Albertas Šimėnas 10 January 1991 13 January 1991 3 Gediminas Vagnorius 13 January 1991 21 July 1992 4 Teodoras Medaiskis (born 1951) Aleksandras Abišala 21 July 1992 17 December 1992 5 Bronislovas Lubys 17 December 1992 31 March 1993 Ministry of Social Security and Labour Term Minister Party Prime Mninister (Cabinet) Office Start date End date Time in office 6 Teodoras Medaiskis (born 1951) Independent Adolfas Šleževičius 31 March 1993 28 October 1993 7 Laurynas Stankevičius (1935-2017) Democratic Labour Party 28 October 1993 12 July 1994 8 Mindaugas Mikaila (born 1957) Independent 12 July 1994 19 March 1996 9 Laurynas Mindaugas Stankevičius 19 March 1996 10 December 1996 10 Irena Degutienė (born 1949) Homeland Union Gediminas Vagnorius 10 December 1996 10 June 1999 11 Rolandas Paksas 10 June 1999 11 November 1999 12 Andrius Kubilius 11 November 1999 9 November 2000 13 Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (born 1960) Social Democratic Party Rolandas Paksas 9 November 2000 12 July 2001 14 Algirdas Brazauskas 12 July 2001 14 December 2004 15 Algirdas Brazauskas 14 December 2004 18 July 2006 16 Gediminas Kirkilas 18 July 2006 9 December 2008 17 Rimantas Dagys (born 1957) Homeland Union Andrius Kubilius 9 December 2008 22 July 2009 18 Donatas Jankauskas (born 1958) 22 July 2009 13 December 2012 19 Algimanta Pabedinskienė (born 1965) Labour Party Algirdas Butkevičius 13 December 2012 13 December 2016 20 Linas Kukuraitis (born 1978) Independent Saulius Skvernelis 13 December 2016 11 December 2020 21 Monika Navickienė (born 1981) Homeland Union Ingrida Šimonytė 11 December 2020 13 December 2024 22 Inga Ruginienė (born 1981) Social Democratic Party of Lithuania Gintautas Paluckas 13 December 2024 25 September 2025 23 Jūratė Zailskienė (born 1965) Inga Ruginienė 25 September 2025 14 July 2026 23 Inga Ruginienė (born 1981) Inga Ruginienė 14 July 2026 Incumbent
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