Dvidešimtojo a. 3-iojo dešimtmečio socialinė apsauga Lietuvoje: nuo iššūkio iki struktūros

Straipsnyje analizuojami XX a. 3-iojo deš. Lietuvos valstybės iššūkiai socialinės apsaugos srityje – siekiama išspręsti svarbiausias po Pirmojo pasaulinio karo kilusias problemas, suvaldyti esamą situaciją ir prisitaikyti prie modernėjančių socialinės apsaugos formų, piliečių socialinės gerovės užtikrinimo. Atskleidžiama, kaip Lietuvos vyriausybė, visuomenės veikėjai ir politikai suprato socialinius klausimus, kokios buvo identifikuotos svarbiausios socialinės problemos, taikyti jų sprendimo būdai. Taip pat aptariama socialinės paramos imtis, paramos sritys, prioritetai ir socialinės politikos gairių susiformavimas.The social policy of the Republic of Lithuania (1918–1940) underwent fundamental changes: from the rudimentary signs of an elementary state structure to the establishment of a specific institutional and legal framework required for social policy. In the 1920s the newly established state did not only have to shape the concept of its social policy but also to set the social policy priorities and to start their implementation without the required legal framework. The returning war refugees were posing a huge problem to the state. The article analyzes the challenges faced by the Lithuanian social security system in the 1920s and the measures that were used to solve them (care, relief, charity, labour protection, social insurance). The Lithuanian government, the emerging local authorities and public organizations addressed the most pressing issues – they organized public catering, distributed foodstuffs, footwear, clothing, housing, provided medical aid, fought against communicable diseases, etc. In 1919, the list of the poor in Lithuania was compiled – as many as 47,615 individuals were in need of support. The ministry established for that purpose was assigned the handling of social problems in the country in 1919; in October, they were entrusted to the Ministry of the Interior. In the period 1922–1926 there was much debate in the Seimas on social policy issues; the major laws governing the length of the working day, the activities of the Labour Inspectorate, the hiring of workers for manors, the activities of health insurance funds, etc. were adopted. Despite the efforts of the government, local authorities and public organizations, a public and all-embracing social security system was not created; instead, only its individual aspects were put to life. The first decisions of the Lithuanian government in the field of social security focused on a specific short-term perspective and the solution of postwar problems rather than a long-term social strategy