By Reda Gilytė, LRT TV, LRT.lt.

Yulia has worked for several years at a Rimi supermarket and used to speak mostly Russian before starting to learn Lithuanian.

“The course lasted three months. It wasn’t difficult. The teacher was very good and set homework,” Yulia, a sales assistant, said.

Rimi has been offering Lithuanian-language courses to its employees since May, as more than 200 non-Lithuanian speakers work across the chain. Most have already completed the course and passed the exam.

“They want to keep their jobs. In the end, knowing the language allows them to progress in their careers. We’re really pleased that this project, this investment, is paying off,” said Rimi spokesperson Luka Lesauskaitė-Remeikė.

According to her, employees are also encouraged to speak Lithuanian with each other in the workplace. After January, the chain does not plan to stop hiring non-Lithuanian speakers.

Read more: LRT.LT