"We always sought that the transport sector should not be included on the list of posted workers," the minister said.
"Since it was included, this did not suit us, given that our transport sector does account for a huge share of GDP. In our opinion, a separate, special regulation is needed, rather than the posted workers directive," he said.
According to the minister, the directive may begin to be applied in three to four years after it comes into force. Talks on the Mobility Package, aimed at reforming the EU's entire road transport sector, are to be completed by that time.
Lithuania did achieve that transit shipments should not be regulated by this directive.
EU ministers on Monday reached a deal on a reform of the posted workers directive. The deal ensures that people sent to work temporarily in another EU member state will be paid average wages of the host country and sets a limit of 12 months for workers posted abroad, with a possibility to extend the period for another six months.
The current EU rules require that posted workers are paid at least the minimum wage of the host country. The period of posting is not limited.
