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: "mailto:iomvilnius@iom.lt">iomvilnius@iom.lt