The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, who today attended the signing of an agreement between social partners on amendments to the Employment Relations Act, stressed that this was an important agreement which was being signed at the right time.

 

(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)

 

The PM also said that the changes would provide for the more modern regulation of employment relations in Slovenia. Although this is a compromise with which no one is completely satisfied, the PM believes that it would provide a solid basis for amending the law so as to make the labour market in Slovenia more flexible without compromising security.

 

This agreement is all the more important, since the Slovenian economy has reached a turning point, when the key problem no longer lies in unemployment, but in a shortage of labour, which entails a more flexible labour market. "However, it is clear – given the standards Slovenia has attained and the level of social dialogue that has developed in the sixteen years of independence – that increased flexibility cannot be achieved by jeopardising the level of social security of employees or general security," said Mr Janša.

 

The PM also said that one year after the act comes into force, the government would conduct the first assessment, and invited trade unions and all social partners to cooperate. "On the basis of this assessment a decision will be made as to whether we should go back to the table and, using the same method – the method of social dialogue and discussions – agree on possible further amendments or establish that the results have been positive and there is no need to change or modify labour market regulations any time soon," concluded Mr Janša.