NEWS

Prime Minister meets representatives of public sector trade unions

Prime Minister Borut Pahor held a meeting today with representatives of the public sector trade unions concerning the current economic and financial uncertainty. Mr Pahor was pleased to note that, to a certain extent, the meeting had exceeded his expectations. “We have all come to realise that the situation today and the one ahead of us in 2009 differ substantially from the time the collective agreement was signed.”

 

(Photo: Srdjan Živulovič/Bobo)

 

Following today’s meeting, the Prime Minister announced that the Government would prepare a proposal for amendments to the collective agreement as soon as possible; negotiations to change the collective agreement will open after trade union representatives have responded by presenting their views.

 

According to the PM, the process of amending the collective agreement offers an opportunity to modernise public administration. “It is in our long-term interest to have a lean state capable of delivering quality services with fewer employees,” stressed Mr Pahor. For this purpose, a special expert group will be set up in order to study the matter and draft proposals for modernising the public sector.