Mar. 20, 2013
Slovak Republic
Nov. 01, 2012
Collective bargaining challenges in healthcare
EPSU has collaborated with the SOZ ZaSS health union in producing an overview of recent developments in collective bargaining in the health sector. The article provides some background on the key negotiations and the challenges faced in securing improved funding for the sector as well as better pay and conditions for the workers. The situation is similar to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe and also raises questions about the potential of general healthcare unions to work with other organisations in the sector, particularly unions representing doctors.Read more at > EPSU (EN)
Dec. 09, 2011
Doctors secure agreement on pay increases
The LOZ doctors’ union has negotiated a new agreement with the government that will see pay increase in three stages, rising in relation to national average salaries. The doctors’ campaign had been supported by the EPSU affiliate and health workers’ union SOZZASS, which has been calling for higher pay for all workers in the sector. Read more at > Slovak Spectator (EN)
Nov. 11, 2011
Health minister tours hospitals to tackle doctors' protest
Over 2,400 out of 6,500 hospital doctors are taking part in a mass resignation protest that could see them leave their posts as of 1 December. The protest is against government plans to turn hospitals into joint stock companies and is calling for higher pay for health workers and increase health funding. The health minister is touring hospitals to try to persuade doctors to withdraw their resignations.Read more at > Slovak Spectator news website (EN)
Oct. 07, 2011
Doctors maintain threat of mass resignation
The mass resignation of hospital doctors, co-ordinated by the LOZ trade union, is still possible following inconclusive talks with the government. The union has a number of key demands including stopping the conversion of public hospitals into joint stock companies, the application of labour code rules on working time and working conditions and pay increases for health staff.Read more at > Slovak Spectator news website (EN)
Jul. 25, 2011
New labour code will weaken employment rights
Parliament has agreed significant changes to the Labour Code, including: either severance pay or a layoff notice period but not both; longer periods for fixed-time employment; longer overtime hours permitted; less pay for overtime work; more night shifts allowed. While there are some positive elements in terms of holiday entitlement and maternity benefits the Slovak trade union confederation says that overall impact is aimed at weakening employees’ rights creating more flexibility for employers in the labour market.Read more at > Slovak Spectator news website (EN) And at > KOZ SR (SK)
May. 19, 2011
Doctors may follow Czech mass resignation tactic
The LOZ doctors’ union is planning to co-ordinate a campaign of mass resignations by doctors in order to secure higher pay. EPSU affiliate SOZZaSS says it will consult with its membership over whether or not to support the campaign. However, the union says that the level of funding for the health service is more of a priority issue. Read more at > news website (EN)
Nov. 03, 2010
Employers push for labour code reforms
The AZZZ employers’ organisation and other business groups are lobbying the government to make changes in the labour code. They want to see more flexibility around working time and rules on hiring and firing employees. In contrast, the trade unions are more or less happy with the labour code and any reforms should focus on reducing overtime and working hours. Read more at > Slovak news website (EN)
Oct. 22, 2010
Unions mobilise around the country
A demonstration in Bratislava on 12 October was the third protest organised by trade unions against the government’s austerity measures. The government is planning cuts of €986 million in 2011, €154 million of which is due to come from public sector pay cuts. Unions are calling for measures to boost employment and protect social security and are still hoping for negotiations with the government but are also considering continuing their protests.Read more at > Slovak news website (EN)
Sep. 11, 2006
Civil service office abolished
The EIRO industrial relations observatory reports that the Slovak Civil Service Office will be abolished only four years after being set up. Critics argue that the abolition will leave the Slovak civil service more open to political interference. The Office was only established in 2002 with a number of key responsibilities covering ethics, performance appraisal and vocational training. With the abolition of the office departmental managers will have more discretion over human resource managementRead more at > EIRO (EN)
Apr. 15, 2006
Health workers take action over pay
Doctors and nurses' unions in Slovakia took strike action on 6 April to press for a 25% increase in pay. They also want a halt to setting up of hospitals as joint stock companies which they say is in fact privatisation. The unions want to ensure that healthcare is available for all and are calling for increased funding.Read more at > Slovak news agencyRead more at > Reuters news agency
Feb. 18, 2006
5% and 6% pay increases in public sector
A new collective agreement running for 12 months from 1 January 2006 provides for a 5% increase in pay for civil servants. It also allows from some local negotiations, particularly on working time so that it is possible to cut the standard 40-hour working week by up to 2½ hours. Longer paid leave can also be negotiated at local level.Read more at > EIROMeanwhile the 300,000 public sector employees who don't have civil service status should see an increase in basic pay of 6% from 1 July.Read more at > EIRO
Jan. 08, 2006
Minimum wage rises by 6.2%
The Slovakian government increased the minimum wage to 6,900 SKK (around 185 euros) from 1 October last year. The KOZ SR union federation had been calling for an increase to 7,280 in the tripartite negotiations but eventually agreed to 6,900 with one of the main employer federations. The KOZ SR target is to get the minimum wage increased to 60% of average earnings - it is currently worth around 40% of the average.Read more at > EIRO
Nov. 12, 2005