Archive of articles - November 2004, page 6

One step ahead

INSURANCE fraud is still a relatively new phenomenon in Slovakia. But perhaps that is because the nation has only recently defined what insurance fraud is.The adoption of new legislation that directly defines insurance fraud has resulted in increased awareness of the problem. Still, some insurance companies are reluctant to talk about it.For the rest of the world, insurance fraud is inevitable. World statistics estimate that 20 to 30 percent of all accidents involving insurance belong to the "scam" category. If it is an automobile accident, the fraud rate climbs to 35 percent.

Velvet celebration

AS THE COUNTRY celebrates 15 years of democracy after the November 1989 collapse of communism, the nation seems split over its assessment of post-communist developments in Slovakia.Various polls released for the 15th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution suggest that a large percentage are dissatisfied with the material aspects of their lives, and many are disappointed with Slovakia's development after 1989.

Crowded market blues

FOR the first time ever, Slovak citizens can redirect a part of their mandatory pension contributions into private pension funds. As of November 1, 2004, they have been able to do this by making arrangements with one of eight newly licensed pension administration companies.The change is a consequence of pension reform legislation, precipitated by a significant drop in the active working population and an increase in pensioners that made the traditional "pay-as-you-go" system financially unsustainable.

Bus companies on go-slow

Žiak joins Movement for Democracy

Around Slovakia

Boy falls into cesspoolExecutioner's HousePost office robbedDainty village dishes

Health insurance market stalls

SIX NEW healthcare laws recently approved by the Slovak parliament are supposed to ensure not only improved healthcare but also sharper competition on the health insurance market.Health insurers and the Slovak Health Ministry see new investment opportunities in individual supplementary health insurance (a type of coverage defined in the adopted legislation).

Reader feedback: Courage to confront the past

No future for 68ers

AS THE 15th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution passes, mostly foreigners have been celebrating. A series of government reforms - including income tax at a flat rate of 19 percent - recently earned Slovakia the World Bank's title of top business-environment reformer for 2004. American mogul Steve Forbes has said Slovakia is the domino that could push Europe toward freer enterprise.The press for Slovakia has been good, as have the reforms, but 15 years after the fall of communism life is still a struggle for Slovakia's poorest citizens. About 18 percent of the population is unemployed.

Berlusconi to visit Slovakia

Ten month tax income at Sk176.5 billion

British firm plans to create 500 jobs in Lučenec

High winds expected in Slovakia today

Energy prices for next year published

Minister rejects spy past

Car insurance deadline nears

Unemployment rate down to 12.72 percent in October

Slovak elected deputy chairman of NATO assembly

Country celebrates fall of communism