Two IOM-organized information and job fairs are taking place over the next three days in Dublin and Monaghan to provide Lithuanians currently living and working in Ireland with up-to-date information on the possibilities of employment in Lithuania.

The fairs, called "Saddle up your Horses, Folks", bring together some 50 Lithuanian consultants from the government, information technology, retail, real estate and telecommunication companies, universities, the police and the military to provide information on how best to take up employment at home.

Visitors will also be informed about the possibility of transferring to Lithuania pensions earned in Ireland, on taxation and citizenship issues, on the setting up of special classes for migrant children to catch up with their peers at school and much more.

"The strength of the events is that visitors will be given personalized information and advice on their individual situation, which otherwise would be very hard to get. This will help people make an informed decision on whether employment in Lithuania is a viable option or not," says Audra Sipaviciene, who heads IOM's office in Vilnius.

The fairs are being held at a time when the Irish job market is said to be contracting. A survey by international consultants Hay Group shows that the wages of workers in Lithuania are four times less than in Ireland. However, this wage gap narrows if you take into account the cost of living in Ireland, which is considerably higher than in Lithuania. 

It is estimated that over 70,000 Lithuanians arrived to Ireland after 2004, the year when Lithuania joined the European Union.

For further information please contact:

Audra Sipaviciene
IOM Vilnius
Tel: +370 687 81875
E-mail: iomvilnius@iom.lt