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Slovenia

Background information on industrial relations in Slovenia

• 27 Nov 2009
  Slovenia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Railways sector – Slovenia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the railways sector in Slovenia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining. The study is divided into two parts: the first part deals with railway transport operations, based on research carried out in 2006; the second part focuses on rail infrastructure based on research completed in 2007.

• 22 Sep 2009
  Slovenia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Steel industry – Slovenia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the steel industry in Slovenia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 18 Sep 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia – Greening the European economy: Responses and initiatives by Member States and social partners

  Slovenia has a number of different documents and recommendations on how to increase the economic growth and employment at the national level, including measures for sustainable development, but practical realization is less evident. Social partners presented solutions to overcome the economic crisis in their position papers, while social dialogue at the national level is missing. The government of the Republic of Slovenia has a key role in the preparation and implementation of measures and is less prepared for joint strategies with trade union confederations and employer associations.

• 15 Sep 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Flexicurity and industrial relations

  The role of social partners and social dialogue in the policymaking process leading to the introduction of flexicurity policies has been the most important at the conceptual level. Both employer organisations and trade unions are actively involved in discussions and formulation of the relevant legislative framework of flexicurity policies. At the lower levels of the social dialogue and in the collective bargaining employer organisations mostly argue for higher flexibility of employment and trade unions for more social security. Social partners are much less involved in search and implementation of advanced and innovative policies that would combine both sides of the flexicurity logic.

• 31 Aug 2009
  Slovenia: New temporary waiting for work scheme to combat economic crisis

  On 27 May 2009, the Slovenian parliament adopted a Law on Partial Refund of Pay Compensation (LPRPC), an anti-crisis measure aiming to protect workplaces. The LPRPC states that eligible employers can place up to 50% of their workers on a temporary waiting for work scheme. These workers will not work but they will keep their employment relationship. They will get 85% pay compensation and must devote 20% of the time off to education and training.

• 28 Jul 2009
  Slovenia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Tanning and leather sector – Slovenia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the tanning and leather sector in Slovenia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 02 Jul 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Multinational companies and collective bargaining

  Slovenia has well developed system of industrial relations, where most of labour related issues are already regulated by Employment Relationships Act. Collective bargaining coverage is approximately 96%. Sector collective agreements regulate sector specific working conditions, while company collective agreements should regulate employment relationships and working conditions in a better way. Multinational companies in Slovenia have no major influence on the outcomes of collective bargaining at sectoral level, while in company collective agreements they try to introduce more specific regulation of working conditions and employment relations that are not always in the benefit of employees.It is important to point out, that multinational companies in Slovenia, according to the definition on MNCs in the EU’s directive on European Works Councils, are present within manufacturing only in the metalworking sector and within private services in the banking and retail commerce sector. There exist no foreign-owned or home-owned MNCs in the food processing sector.

• 11 May 2009
  Slovenia: Unions demand social security increase for unemployed persons

  The Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia has proposed that the government should amend the Law on Employment and Unemployment Insurance and the Law on Social Security in order to increase the social security of unemployed persons. The changes concern an increase in unemployment benefit payments and financial social assistance, along with other measures. The call has come in the wake of the global economic crisis and rapidly rising unemployment levels in Slovenia.

• 30 Apr 2009
  Slovenia: Austerity pay deal signed in public sector

  In late February 2009, the government and the representatives of 23 public sector trade unions signed an austerity pay deal for the period 2009–2010. Under the agreement, wage growth in the sector envisaged for 2009 will be reduced from 9.9% to 7.1%. The pay deal is part of the government’s austerity plan and consists of 13 measures. The austerity plan seeks to cut public sector spending by €100–€120 million as part of the state’s anti-crisis efforts.

• 28 Apr 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Wage flexibility and collective bargaining

  The share of variable forms of payment in the Slovenian economy is relatively low. Collective agreements, especially on sectoral and company level, are key instruments for wage determination. The introduction and the increase of the share of variable pay systems is much desired by the employers, while trade unions, due to the relatively high inflation in the last period, put the main focus in negotiations on the overall increase of the basic wages.

• 28 Apr 2009
  Slovenia: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Hospitals – Slovenia

  The aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the hospital sector in Slovenia. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.

• 02 Apr 2009
  Slovenia: Unions criticise subsidy for companies which allow shorter working week

  In January 2009, the government introduced new legislation which grants subsidises to companies introducing a shorter working week instead of laying off workers due to a drop in demand. However, trade unions and the Association of Workers’ Councils of Slovenian Companies have criticised the legislation. They argue that it is not precise enough and that the legislation should specify that workers’ pay should not be reduced.

• 31 Mar 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Wage formation

  In May 2008, the social partners in the private sector finally signed the intersectoral Collective Agreement on Extraordinary Pay Adjustment for 2007 and on the Pay Adjustment Method, the Refund of Work-related Expenses and the Annual Leave Bonus for 2008 and 2009. In the public sector, in July 2007 and after five years of negotiations, the government and the public sector trade unions reached an agreement on the overall intersectoral collective agreement for the public sector. Trade unions in education, science and judiciary are still negotiating with the government about the provisions of the sectoral collective agreements. Social partners agree that changes to the legislation on minimum wage are necessary.

• 09 Mar 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia: The impact of the information and consultation Directive

  The Slovenian government took the view that existing legislation already met the requirements of the information and consultation Directive, and that no specific implementation measures were required. However, subsequently it made a number of minor adjustments to the law in the light of the Directive in 2007. Trade unions do not agree that the Slovenian legislation fully meets the Directive’s requirements, while employers take the opposite view. Implementation has not had any significant effects on Slovenian industrial relations.

• 12 Feb 2009
  Slovenia: Slovenia: Collective bargaining and continuous vocational training

  The LLL and CVT is becoming a very important issue in Slovenia. The dedication to Lisbon Strategy goals is included in all national strategic documents. Strong legal basis is established and right to education and training is guarantied in labour legislation and collective agreements. The responsibility is shared by all social partners however trade unions have impression to be the weakest link.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Slovenia: Trade union rejects revised working time directive

  In November 2008, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) organised a demonstration against the amended EU working time directive in front of the national government buildings. ZSSS believes that the amendments will make it easier to ‘opt out’ of certain provisions. In Slovenia, this could result in strong pressure on workers and trade unions – especially company trade unions – to agree to a longer working week.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Slovenia: Trade union calls on government to raise minimum wage

  The Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) will be calling on the new centre-left government, which was formed in October 2008, to raise the minimum net wage to at least €500 a month. As it stands, the minimum wage does not ensure a decent standard of living for workers. ZSSS will also be proposing changes to the legislation on the minimum wage or the adoption of a new law. However, the employers argue that the unions’ demands are unacceptable, especially as they come during a time of recession.