Archive of articles - May 2000, page 2

Slovaks still wary of temp labour

Temporary employment, the building block of some of the world's most successful economies, has still not managed to catch on in Slovakia - a cold reminder of the underdevelopment of the Slovak economy.Although temping agencies have existed in Slovakia since the early 90's, their growth rate has remained flat and their presence on the Slovak market relatively minor in contrast to western economies. In the United States and western Europe, where the mobility of the workforce has both demanded and created temporary employment and allocated market labour resources, the practice has become a permanent and important feature.However, in Slovakia, even the largest human resource firms have been surprised at how slowly Slovaks have reacted to the concept of employment contracts that carry an inherent lack of permanence.

Macro figures belie economic criticisms

Figures released last week confirming a continuing improvement of the country's macroeconomic situation stood in stark contrast to the recent barrage of criticism directed at cabinet for its laggardly performance on sector reforms, and led government officials to flourish the data as reassurance that their economic policy is still on track.The Slovak central bank announced on May 19 that foreign debt had dropped per capita to $1,900 and in total to $10 billion - an annual fall of 1% and an about-face from previous years where it had risen by as much as 30%. April also saw Slovakia's first positive trade balance for four and half years, the bank said. But despite the good news, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and top-ranking US officials warned that sector privatisation is stalling dangerously.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Generous labour law package to go before government

Many Slovaks might have laughed at the recent public discussion in Britain over whether Prime Minister Tony Blair should take paternity leave to spend time with his new-born son. The Slovak parliament would never waste time discussing such issues, many said, because Slovak society is not nearly as 'politically correct' as England's.However, the opposite may actually be closer to the truth, as the issue of parental leave is part of a slew of important new Labour Code and working legislation reforms set to go before the government this week.The main aim of these reforms, which are expected to take effect in July 2001, is to approximate Slovak labour legislation to European Union standards and bring more clarity to the Labour Code. The changes mean to give employee representatives greater scope to discuss labour issues in companies, as well as to protect civil servants from being fired every time a new government comes to power.

In praise of the younger generation

Despite the fact that the term 'head-hunting' was relatively unknown in Slovakia a few years ago, the increasing presence of foreign firms in the country has created a fast-growing demand for head-hunters' services: finding educated and skilled staff with strong personalities for key management positions.The Slovak Spectator spoke to Paul Binder of Target Exexutive Search about the Slovak labour force, the future of human resource agencies in Slovakia, and just what a head-hunter has to do to get the right person for the job.

Buiness Briefs

Slovak Telecom head Hubinák steps downCentral bank revises monetary targets for 2000Slovak Credit Bank fails to pass liquidity testSLSP reports record losses for 1999ŽSR changes get go-ahead from management

Quote of the week

Controversial Matica Slovenská girds for battle again

Sitting in his office on May 12, Jozef Markuš' voice was intermittently drowned out by high school students celebrating graduation outside. As the Matica Slovenská chairman half-heartedly raised his voice against the clamour outside, the obvious metaphor afforded the scene a deeper significance: these days Matica Slovenská is having a hard time delivering the message that its organisation and the traditional Slovak culture it champions are still relevant. Many Slovaks - especially a whole generation of young people more interested in things like travel, the EU, and mobile phones - seem to be wondering what Matica's mission exactly is, and why they should care.

News Briefs

Parliament adopts Law on Access to InformationHuman Rights Court recorded 240 Slovak complaintsSDĽ may support HZDS 'dual membership' bill

Who's afraid of Róbert Fico?

He grew up the son of a labourer and a shoe store clerk, wanting to be either a politician, a sports reporter or an archaelogist. He has a fondness for political biographies. He has a doctorate in law, and served as Slovakia's agent to the European Human Rights Commission from 1994 until being recalled early this year. At the age of 35, he is Slovakia's most popular politician.The Slovak Spectator (TSS): Many of our readers, having seen recent polls giving your new Smer party around 23% electoral support, have asked us "Who is Róbert Fico?" Perhaps it would be best if we let you answer them...

Róbert Fico: Neither fish nor fowl... yet

Independent MP Róbert looks the part of the modern politician. Riding to parliament in the back of a Volvo, he sticks one mobile phone back in his pocket to answer the unheard summons of another, a sleek miniature handset cased in muted chrome. It, like the cut of the man himself, bespeaks a world of efficiency and professionalism.It is this image, of being tuned in to the mood of the electorate and in touch with the needs of the country, that has boosted to a record 29% approval rating - the highest of any Slovak politician - and to almost 25% support for his new Smer party. Declaring himself one of a 'new generation' of politicians who are sick of past and present government thievery, offers voters a conservative law-and-order remedy sweetened with leftist potions to ease the lot of the common folk. It's attractive, but is it for real?

Working on "filling" the blank lots

Extensive construction dating back to the 1950s left Bratislava with many unfinished streets. On one hand, the capital has expanded, on the other, many traditional streets and boulevards have disappeared, leaving blank lots between the houses - strange and atypical for Bratislava.Architects call them "undeveloped commercial parcels".In the 1990s, the Chief Architect Office developed plans containing basic urban and architectonic conditions for construction in particular blank lots in the downtown area of Bratislava. The aim was to initiate new development in attractive commercial properties.

Slovaks take historic hockey medal

Although the Slovak national hockey team had just lost the gold medal match of the Ice Hockey World Championships, 5-3 to the Czech Republic, thousands of elated fans celebrated on Bratislava's SNP námestie after the game on May 14. Revellers danced, sang, drank and partied until sunrise in celebration of the fact that Slovakia had won the silver, marking the all-time best finish in a major international hockey competition by the Slovaks.The team's surprise success sparked celebrations around the country among Slovaks of every walk of life. Soňa Szomolányi, the head of Comenius University's political science department, said that Slovakia's triumph represented an unprecedented national success which had united the citizenry and boosted the country's morale to a level healthier than at any other time in recent history.

Community Calendar

Austrian EmbassyInternational Women's Club in Bratislava

This Week

Farmers weather record drought

Weather forecasts across Slovakia have been identical for over a month: sunny and hot with no rain in sight. But while the cloudless skies may be a godsend for sun-worshipers, domestic farmers say they are getting severely burned by what is believed to be the worst drought in the last half-century. Agriculture Ministry officials echoed the farmers' concerns, reporting on May 16 that the extreme hot and dry conditions had to date caused two billion Slovak crowns ($42 million) in damage and lost crops.According to Jarmila Berečová of the Slovak Meterological Institute, the country's rainfall this year has reached only 30% of the annual average. Meanwhile, the heat wave gripping much of the region has exacerbated the problem. "Since February, over 80% of the day-time high temperatures have been above the average, while 14 of the last 30 days have been record highs, including six days in a row," she said on May 15.

Review: Dogma parodies christian faith

Deriven from Greek, the word Dogma means 'to think.' In writer/director Kevin Smith's new movie by the same name, audiences are asked to do exactly that while considering his provocative punches at God, the Catholic Church, and faith.The creator of Chasing Amy and Clerks, Smith riddles Dogma with incendiary language and hilariously shocking presumptions, while at the same time posing serious philosophical questions about what it means to 'believe.' The result, said Smith, is "a bizarre mix of lowbrow jokes and highbrow concepts" that had the religious community crying blasphemy upon its release.

Top Pick: EUROCUP 2000 - European dog exhibition

All friends of dogs are invited to the European dog exhibition EUROCUP 2000, an international event taking place at Incheba exhibition centre in the Bratislava suburb of Petržalka where dogs of all breeds. shapes and skills will compete in individual categories. While judges take a break at lunch time, additional side-shows will display the unique skills of seeing-eye dogs as well as police dogs specialising in mine searching.The exhibition will be both outdoor and indoor, and will feature almost every canine breed, from American to middle-Asian, hunting to Russian guard-dogs. The four-legged competitors will be judged not by their exterior appearance, but also by their dog charisma and character. Category victors will be awarded the prestigious EUROCUP 2000 award.The exhibition is scheduled for 9:00 on May 28. The dogs will be separated into several classifications: puppies, maturing dogs, juniors, and open classes which include national and international champions, as well as previous winners and qualifiers.

Hope springs anew for SMEs as new licence scheme debated

Despite the fact that the current government is orienting its policy towards attracting foreign businesses with two incentive packages already approved this year, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still struggling to grow and are looking to a new amendment to throw them a lifeline.Several members of parliament, led by Pavol Prokopovič of the ruling SDK party and chairman of the Slovak Union of Businessmen, are preparing an amendment to the income tax law which would boost the SME business sector by allowing firms to purchase inexpensive tax 'licences' instead of paying the going annual corporate tax rate.The main aim of Prokopovič's amendment, which passed its first reading on May 10 despite several objections raised by members of the ruling coalition SDĽ (Democratic Left Party), is to increase the number of existing businesses that are allowed to buy the licence, and thereby support the development of the business sector.