Telia, Hostinger and Omnisend to pay employees who opt for military service €2,300 a month

Three Lithuanian technology companies – Telia, Hostinger and Omnisend – will pay employees who voluntarily opt for military service €2,300 gross per month throughout their period of service. This financial incentive, close to Lithuania’s average salary, is intended to help employees maintain financial security for themselves and their families while serving their country. The companies are the first Lithuanian businesses to respond to a call from the Visuotinė gynyba (Total Defence) association to join an employers’ initiative designed to help employees maintain their income during military service.

“This decision by business leaders marks a fundamental shift, as concern about losing income was among the five most important factors influencing people’s decision to serve. As more employers join the initiative, one of the main obstacles that has limited the introduction of universal conscription in Lithuania will be removed,” says Tomas Godliauskas, Director of the Visuotinė gynyba association.

According to Godliauskas, employers may choose different ways of helping employees maintain their income during military service. The central principle is that an employee who chooses to serve should feel supported by both the state and their employer.

Telia: financial support, job security and continued benefits

In addition to the monthly payment, IT and telecommunications company Telia will retain employees’ positions and maintain their key benefits throughout their service, including supplementary health insurance. Employees whose regular Telia salary is lower than €2,300 will receive an amount equal to their usual salary.

According to Telia CEO Giedrė Kaminskaitė-Salters, total defence begins with people’s willingness to take responsibility for their country. It is therefore important to remove practical barriers that may discourage them from choosing military service.

“We have a modern military and growing defence capabilities, but society’s willingness to contribute to national resilience is equally important. We can see that some people are considering military service while also weighing the impact that such a decision would have on their family, career and financial situation. Serving one’s country is first and foremost a choice rooted in values, but it should not create additional financial insecurity for individuals or their families. As a business, we therefore feel a responsibility to help reduce these practical barriers,” says Kaminskaitė-Salters.

Telia is also increasing the number of paid volunteering days available to employees participating in voluntary national-defence activities from one to four days per year.

Hostinger to provide financial support and retain jobs and benefits

Technology company Hostinger will provide a financial payment to its Lithuania-based employees who voluntarily opt for military service. It will also retain their positions and all employee benefits, including supplementary health insurance.

“Businesses need to take concrete action that helps people contribute to national security. Military service develops personal qualities that are also valuable in professional life – resilience, discipline, responsibility and the ability to solve problems. Through this initiative, we want to support employees who contribute to national defence and demonstrate that organisations are an important part of total defence,” says Sofija Čelutkienė, Head of People at Hostinger.

Omnisend: financial support, job security and continued benefits

The payment for employees who voluntarily opt for military service adds to measures Omnisend already has in place to encourage its employees to contribute to national defence. The technology company will also retain their positions and key employee benefits.

“National defence is a responsibility shared by the military, public institutions, Lithuanian citizens and businesses. Our country gives each of us many opportunities to work, act and create, so we have a duty to give back by contributing to total defence. It is very important to us that support for those serving the country is sustained, practical and more than a one-off gesture. We are among the first companies to take this step, and we hope that other businesses and organisations will join the initiative through concrete action,” says Rytis Laurinavičius, co-founder and CEO of Omnisend.

Omnisend also provides three additional paid days off each year to employees serving in Lithuania’s National Defence Volunteer Force (KASP) or belonging to the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. These days must be used for a specific purpose, such as improving weapons-handling skills, participating in training or undertaking other activities related to national defence.

Employers’ initiative complements state incentives

The employers’ initiative launched by the Visuotinė gynyba association provides additional support to employed people who voluntarily choose to perform initial compulsory military service. State payments for those who declare their intention before the annual list of conscripts is published, or who are not included in the list, amount to approximately €10,000.

The employers’ initiative will allow participants to maintain additional income and retain their jobs during service, while also benefiting from the individual incentives and employee benefits offered by each company.

“We are witnessing the emergence of a new standard in the labour market – one that benefits employees, employers and the state. People maintain their income and financial stability, while organisations build long-term, productive relationships with their employees. During military service, employees develop leadership skills, learn to take initiative in different situations and work effectively as part of a team. These are competencies that every organisation needs,” says Godliauskas.

The companies joining the employers’ initiative will formally confirm their commitments by signing them during the Total Defence Forum, which will take place on 17 September at the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania.

The Visuotinė gynyba association calls on Lithuanian businesses, public institutions and other organisations to join the employers’ initiative and help employees secure their income during military service. Some organisations may retain an employee’s usual salary and position, while others may provide an additional payment linked to the state allowance. The principle matters more than a uniform mechanism: an employee who chooses to serve should feel supported by both the state and their employer.