Small-Town Struggles: Residents of Joniลกkis, Lithuania, Face Limited Job opportunities
Joniลกkis, Lithuania – A recent visit to Joniลกkis reveals a quiet town grapplingโค with economic realities, where retirees are a common sight and job prospects, especially for โyounger โgenerations, are increasingly scarce. Delfi reporters found a community โฃvaluing its peaceful lifestyle, โbut one acutely aware ofโข the limitations facing its workforce.
During a middayโ stroll through the townโข center โฃin August, reporters primarily encountered retirees.Virginia,โ aโ resident, succinctly summarized the financial strain felt by manny: “I’m no โฃlongerโ working, I’m aโข retiree, but on the material point of view, we just have to moan.”
The lack of employmentโข opportunities is โa recurring theme amongst those still seekingโ work.One woman, โขrecently declared unfit for her previous role, expressed frustration at the difficulty of finding a โคnew position. “I โขwant to change the area to โbe out of trade โbecause I โhave worked in the trade for many years, since graduation. Lack of โคwork. Iโฃ have โalready been looked at,” she stated.
The situation is particularly challenging for young people. Theโ granddaughter of a Joniลกkis โฃresident recounted her grandson’s unsuccessful job search withinโค the town. He now commutesโฃ daily to ล iauliai for a delivery driving position, having โbeen turned down for a role at the local poultry farm.
Despite the economic hurdles, many residentsโ express a strong attachment to Joniลกkisโค and its slower pace of life. Grazina, a local, explained her preferenceโ for the town’s tranquility. “My sisterโ lives โขin a bigger city, but I am attracted to the greenery, where fewer people,โ you can go for a walk. I have enough activities here: I ride my โbike,go toโ the cafe and theโ like.”
however, the limited job market often forces residents to seek employment โelsewhere. Angelika, aโฃ finance professional, now works in Kaunas, finding it โขnecessary