BRATISLAVA, January 31, (WEBNOVINY) — The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Family submitted for Monday’s meeting of social partners at the Economic and Social Council draft theses of the prepared amendment to the Labor Code. Prime Minister Iveta Radicova stated after the meeting of social partners that the Labor Code should be more helpful to the family and protect those who need it most. The level of work and legal protection in the form of trial period will depend on the volume of employee’s wage, qualification, or number of worked years. The prime minister asked trade unions to participate in standard negotiations on the draft changes to the Labor Code and speak the truth in their calls to citizens.
According to the prime minister, the present wording of the Labor Code does not take into consideration different standing of employees with regard to wages, work position, and type of contract. The Labor Code does not react to different life situations connected with employment, in particular when it comes to school graduates and parents will little children. Radicova criticizes the legal norm for containing abundant bureaucracy, and little flexibility upon change of employment and a way to earn extra income [in addition to full-time employment]. She also perceives as a problem the unequal standing of unions and employee councils.
The basic concept of the prepared revision to the Labor Code is making work relations more flexible, explained Labor Minister Jozef Mihal. “The Labor Code will continue to protect employees with average and lower wages,” he said, adding that some elements of protection of poorer paid employees should be toughened. As an example he mentioned shortening the trial period from three months to one month for manual workers. The ministry opines that there should be more space for social dialogue upon negotiating collective agreements. The government should debate the draft revision to the Labor Code in late April.
President of the Trade Unions Confederation Miroslav Gazdik pointed out that talks with the National Association of Employers (RUZ) showed that opinions on the changes in the Labor Code diametrically differ. The unionists want to preserve the Labor Code in its current form, as approved by the previous government led by Robert Fico. They initiated a petition with this purpose on January 10. RUZ President Marian Jusko confirmed that they submitted unacceptable proposals to the unionists. “We however do not blame the government for our failed negations and are not organizing protest gatherings,” he added.
SITA