Slovenia
Background information on industrial relations in Slovenia
- 22 Dec 2005
Slovenia: Delays in implementing the EU company law regulation<#PDF_LINK>Slovenia, along with some other EU Member States, did not meet the transposition deadline of 8 October 2004 for the Statute for a European Company Directive (SE Directive) or make the necessary changes to comply with the SE Regulation by that date. The implementation of the SE Directive has made no visible progress until 6 October 2005 when the government adopted a draft of a new Law on Companies (draft new LC) and submitted it to the parliament for the first reading. Slovenia received a warning earlier this year from the European Commission to speed up the implementation process. The draft LC implements the SE Regulation and foresees a one-tier management structure for all Slovenian joint stock companies alongside the existing two-tier structure now compulsory for larger joint stock companies. This enables the implementation of the SE employee involvement Directive by adopting a special law. However, some experts claim that a one-tier management structure will destroy the board-level employee representation.
- 05 Dec 2005
Slovenia: Workers with occupational diseases cannot exercise their rights<#PDF_LINK>In late 2005, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) continues to highlight the difficult situation of workers with occupational diseases, who cannot exercise their rights because the minister of health has not determined the procedures for the verification of such diseases. A 2003 Resolution on the National Programme on Health and Safety at Work provides for the appropriate regulation of the verification of occupational diseases and its financing, but has not yet been implemented.
- 05 Dec 2005
Slovenia: Register of occupational diseases not yet established<#PDF_LINK>In Slovenia, a register of occupational diseases has not yet been established, as of late 2005, because the minister of health has not determined the procedures for the verification of occupational diseases (with the exception of asbestos-related occupational diseases). As a result, most cases of occupational diseases are not reported and there are no data on such diseases, a situation that causes concern to trade unions.
- 02 Nov 2005
Slovenia: New public sector pay law makes collective agreements compulsory<#PDF_LINK>A new law on the pay system in the public sector came into force in Slovenia in July 2005. Several provisions of the law require implementation through collective agreements, thus having the effect of making collective agreements compulsory in the public sector. Experts argue that the new law (along with similar private sector provisions) does not comply with the principle of free collective bargaining, as set out in the European Social Charter (Revised) and International Labour Organisation Convention No. 154.
- 02 Nov 2005
Slovenia: Debate continues over future of compulsory-membership employers’ organisations<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2005, the Slovenian social partners were consulted on proposals for a new Law on Collective Agreements (LCA) and a new Law on Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The former would allow employers’ associations with compulsory membership to continue to conclude collective agreements for a transitional period of three years. The aim is that the voluntary-membership Slovenian Employers' Association (ZDS) should become strong enough during this transitional period to perform fully its role as an organisation representing employers’ interests in industrial relations, and thus replace completely in this sphere the compulsory-membership Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS). However, the draft LCCI appears to make a three-year transitional period impossible. Trade unions fear that, as a result, they will not have collective bargaining partners in future.
- 19 Oct 2005
Slovenia: Draft Law on Collective Agreements still under discussion<#PDF_LINK>The draft Law on Collective Agreements has been under consideration by parliament since 1994. Following the election of a new government in October 2004, the draft legislation was rendered void. The government and the social partners could not agree on the regulation of certain basic issues. In addition, the proposed regulations relating to other matters have been called into question and will have to be changed.
- 11 Oct 2005
Slovenia: Warning strike of the metalworkers’ union cancelled<#PDF_LINK>At the last session of negotiations on a new sectoral collective agreement held on 26 September 2005, the Metal and Electro Industries Trade Union of Slovenia (SKEI) and the employers agreed on a compromise proposal concerning the adjustment of the basic pay. Because a compromise was reached the SKEI cancelled a two-hour warning strike to be held on 27 September 2005 in selected companies of the metal and electrical industries.
- 10 Oct 2005
Slovenia: Some employers’ organisations cancel general private sector collective agreement<#PDF_LINK>A number of Slovenian employers’ organisations have cancelled the general collective agreement for the private sector, as of 30 September 2005. However, because the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia did not take the same step, it is unclear whether the other employers’ cancellation of the agreement is legitimate or not. If the cancellation does prove to be lawful, the agreement will cease to exist from 30 June 2006.
- 25 Aug 2005
Slovenia: Compliance with principle of free collective bargaining questioned<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2005, the issue of the compliance of Slovenian labour law with the principle of free collective bargaining has again been highlighted by a government proposal to ratify ILO Convention No. 154 on the promotion of collective bargaining, and the preparation of a report on national implementation of the European Social Charter (which includes the provision that all workers and employers have the right to bargain collectively). Concerns centre on the involvement in bargaining of employers' bodies with compulsory membership and legislative provisions that essentially make the conclusion of sectoral collective agreements compulsory.
- 15 Aug 2005
Slovenia: Government rejects proposed revision of Working Time Directive<#PDF_LINK>According to the Slovenian government, public health sector needs have influenced its decision not to support the compromise proposal of the European Commission (EC), to revise the Working Time Directive. At the June Social Council, the minister expressed his lack of support for the EC’s compromise proposal in relation to the 48-hour working week. However, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia stresses that the compromise proposal is acceptable and that the government is not taking into account the opinion of the social partners.
- 22 Jul 2005
Slovenia: 2004 Annual Review for Slovenia<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in Slovenia during 2004.
- 30 Jun 2005
Slovenia: Shops will not open on Sundays from 2006<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, the Constitutional Court ruled that Article 17 of the Law on Retail Trade, restricting the opening hours of shops on Sundays, is not incompatible with the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. The ruling is seen as a victory for the Trade Union of Retail Workers of Slovenia. As a result, from 1 January 2006: shops selling basic goods may open on up to 10 Sundays a year; small shops at petrol stations, hospitals, hotels, airports, border crossings and railway/bus stations, which sell essential goods, may open without restrictions on Sundays; and other shops must be closed on Sundays.
- 30 Jun 2005
Slovenia: Government wants voluntary membership of Chamber of Commerce and Industry<#PDF_LINK>In June 2005, the Slovenian Ministry of the Economy announced that it wants to make membership of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS) - one of the main organisations representing employers' interests - voluntary, rather than compulsory as at present. Draft legislation to this effect is being prepared. GZS opposes the proposals, arguing that a chamber with voluntary membership would not be interested in providing services that are useful for the economy as a whole.
- 08 Jun 2005
Slovenia: Social partners renew demands for abolition of payroll tax<#PDF_LINK>In 2005, following the election of a new government, the Slovenian social partners are again calling for at least the gradual abolition of the payroll tax on employers, which was introduced in 1996. However, abolition seems unlikely because of government plans in other areas, notably pensions, which will place a burden on the state budget.
- 27 May 2005
Slovenia: Thematic feature - unskilled workers<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of the topic of unskilled workers and unskilled work in Slovenia, as of February 2005. It looks at: national definitions of unskilled workers or work; the number of unskilled workers and workers in unskilled jobs, and the extent of unskilled work; employment and unemployment among unskilled workers; the regulatory framework; trade union organisation among unskilled workers; pay and conditions; recent initiatives to improve the situation of unskilled workers; and the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the issue and its implications for collective bargaining.
- 13 May 2005
Slovenia: Trade unions against the reduction of pay compensation to reduce the ill-health absenteeism<#PDF_LINK>The Ministry of Health intends to amend the Law on Health Security and Health Insurance in order to, and among other things, cut sick leave benefits in some cases. However, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) intends to defend the existing employees’ rights in this field by all means. ZSSS is blaming management, the non-existence of preventive measures to prevent occupational diseases etc. for the rise of ill-health absenteeism.
- 09 May 2005
Slovenia: Quota of work permits for foreign nationals set for 2005<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, following consultation with the social partners, the Slovenian government adopted the 2005 quota of work permits for non-EU foreign national who require such permits. The figure is set at 16,700 work permits - lower than the 2004 quota, which was not met. In addition, the employment of foreign workers not requiring work permits is expected to increase in 2005, although it was much lower than expected in 2004.
- 26 Apr 2005
Slovenia: Trade unions reject EU draft services Directive<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) announced strong opposition to the adoption of the European Commission's controversial proposal for a Directive on services in the internal market. ZSSS's main demand is that the draft Directive's country of originprinciple, whereby service providers would be subject only to the law of the country in which they are established (rather than those in which they operate), should not apply to labour and social legislation. The law of the country where the service is provided should apply in these fields, as should its mechanisms for controlling and supervising service provision .
- 15 Apr 2005
Slovenia: Negotiations over national collective agreement for journalists deadlocked<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, negotiations over a new national collective agreement for Slovenian journalists have reached an impasse. The main contentious issue is whether to conclude a single collective agreement for both the private and the public sectors, or an agreement for the private sector only. The Union of Slovenian Journalists demands negotiations on a single agreement and therefore also wants a joint employers’ negotiating group including representatives of the public and private sectors. However, employers are prepared to negotiate only for the private sector.
- 11 Apr 2005
Slovenia: Paternal leave 90 days from 1 January 2005<#PDF_LINK>According to the Law on Parental Care and Family Cash Benefits (LPCFCB) a father has the right to 90 days of paternity leave from 1 January 2005 onwards. 21 November 2001 the parliament passed the LPCFCB which introduced some urgently required changes necessary to harmonise the Slovenian legislation with that of the EU. The LPCFCB is fully in accordance with the Council Directive 96/34/EC regulating parental leave.
- 15 Feb 2005
Slovenia: Sport may be hit by strike<#PDF_LINK>The Slovenian Athletes’ Union (SSS) and some Slovenian sports clubs are complaining that a new Law on Income Tax, which came into force on 1 January 2005, has greatly increased the tax burden on sportspeople. Unless the government changes the rules, SSS is planning protest actions culminating in general strike in all sports in March 2005.
- 14 Feb 2005
Slovenia: ECS employee involvement Directive not yet transposed<#PDF_LINK>Slovenia, along with many other EU Member States, did not meet the October 2004 implementation deadline for transposing the EU Directive on employee involvement in the European Company Statute. The delays were largely caused by the general election in October 2004 and the preceding election campaign. As of January 2005, the draft law to transpose the Directive had not been published.
- 11 Feb 2005
Slovenia: Railway strike postponed<#PDF_LINK>The Railway Workers’ Union of Slovenia (SZS) called a strike by key freight-shunting personnel at Slovenian Railways (HSZ) for 11 January 2005, in a dispute over union claims that managers are breaching legislation and collective agreements. However, on 10 January SZS decided to postpone the strike, giving HSZ management two months to meet its demands.
- 19 Jan 2005
Slovenia: ZSSS proposes national agreement on stress-related risk assessment<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) proposed the conclusion of a national collective agreement on stress-related risk assessment, in order to implement the framework agreement on work-related stress signed by the EU-level cross-industry social partners in October.
- 16 Jan 2005
Slovenia: Controversy over supplementary health insurance<#PDF_LINK>Vzajemna, Slovenia's largest voluntary supplementary health insurance company, was planning to increase premiums for people over the age of 60 from August 2004. The move was strongly opposed by the ZSSS trade union confederation, among others, and was eventually suspended by the company. The context is that a planned scheme to equalise the differing costs of companies offering supplementary health insurance has yet to be introduced by the government.
- 16 Jan 2005
Slovenia: Social partners call for adoption of profit-sharing law<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, both trade unions and employers' organisations called on Slovenia's new government to adopt specific legislation on profit-sharing by employees. A draft law on the issue has been on the table for a number of years. Trade unions want profit-sharing schemes to be compulsory, but employers prefer a voluntary approach.