Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Biriu Kroviniu Terminalas (BKT)- a Lithuanian company specialising in handling bulk mineral fertilisers- is to dismiss 136 employees in Klaipeda by 31 May 2022. The company used to handle Belarusian potassium fertilizers in the port of Klaipeda. On 1 February 2022, the Lithuanian Government decided to interrupt the transit of Belarusian fertilisers via Lithuania: the contract between the state-owned company Lithuanian Railways and Belarusian state-owned potassium fertilizer company Belaruskalij did not correspond anymore to the security interests of the country.
According to the Public Employment Service, job cut will start on 31 March 2022 and will end by May 2022. The Employment Service will appoint specialists who will help the laid-off people to find a new job. Dismissed people will be offered vacancies in other companies, including port companies in Klaipeda.
The head of the Public Employment Service also revealed that several Lithuanian companies are planning dismissals in Klaipeda port due to the Russian war in Ukraine, but could not give more specific information.
Biriu Kroviniu Terminalas was the largest stevedoring company in the Port of Klaipeda. It used to handle around €11 million worth of Belaruskali’s products every year. Currently, the company employs 141 people.
Eurofound (2022), Biriu kroviniu terminalas , Internal restructuring in Lithuania, factsheet number 106404, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/106404.