Archive of articles - September 2011, page 9
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Almost 1,500 doctors complete resignation notices
Nearly 1,500 doctors out of the 6,500 working in Slovakia's hospitals have filled in forms giving notice of their intention to end their employment contracts, but the forms are only being collected at the moment and will all be filed at the same time, the head of the Doctors Trade Union Association (LOZ), Marián Kollar, said on Wednesday, September 14, the TASR newswire reported. Kollár didn't specify when the forms would be handed in. Judging by his recent comments, however, this may happen by the end of October.
Slovak nuclear power plants pass stress tests
Slovak nuclear power plants have passed a series of so-called stress tests. "The stress tests have not identified any deficiencies that would require immediate remedial measures or a shutdown of operating nuclear power plants. The response of the power plants tested corresponds with the required security level," reported the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ÚJD), as quoted by the SITA newswire, in an interim national report that will be submitted to the European Commission.
Parliament approves changes to second pension pillar
Parliament on Wednesday, September 14, passed a government-sponsored amendment to the pension savings system, the TASR newswire wrote. The approved bill is the 21st amendment to the Act on Pension Savings since the original legislation was adopted by Mikuláš Dzurinda's second government (2002-06).
Slovak and Czech transport ministers hold talks in Bratislava
The Czech Republic is considering linking its rail freight transport operator ČD Cargo with the Slovak state-operated joint-stock company Železničná Spoločnosť Cargo Slovakia. Czech Transport Minister Pavel Dobeš voiced interested in cooperation in the selection of a strategic partner for Cargo Slovakia after talks with his Slovak partner Minister Ján Figeľ (Christian Democratic Movement (KDH)), held on Tuesday, September 13, in Bratislava.
Poll: Nearly half of Slovaks oppose bailout funds
Nearly half of respondents (47.6 percent) in a recent survey agreed that giving the thumbs-down to the EFSF and ESM bailout funds is wise and responsible, while 32.9 percent think the opposite and another 19.5 percent don't have a clear-cut opinion on the issue, the TASR newswire reported on Tuesday, September 13.
MPs vote to pass tax & levy reform to second reading
Slovak MPs on Tuesday, September 13, voted to pass the draft amendment related to tax and payroll-levy reform to its second reading, the SITA newswire wrote.
Survey: Most Slovaks shop online at least occasionally
The results of a survey sponsored by MasterCard which took place this June on a sample of 800 people suggests that over 80 percent of Slovaks shop online at least from time to time, and approximately one-third do so often. The most common reason deterring people from making online purchases is security, the SITA newswire wrote.
Law on medicaments passed
As of December, physicians will be obliged to prescribe medicines by specifying the active ingredient, and will also be able to state the commercial name of the drug on the prescription. These are some of the changes included in a new law on medicaments passed by parliament on September 13, the SITA newswire reported.
Radičová wins confidence vote after all-night debate
Prime Minister Iveta Radičová has survived a no-confidence motion initiated by the opposition parties Smer and the Slovak National Party (SNS), the TASR newswire reported.
Gašparovič supports Montenegro’s EU membership bid
Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič, in Montenegro for a three-day visit, has met his Montenegrin counterpart Filip Vujanović. They both said that trade and commerce between the two countries has not kept pace with their excellent political relations, the TASR newswire reported.
Only two companies pay reserve price to bid for NCHZ
Only two companies will bid to buy the Novacke Chemicke Zavody (NCHZ) chemical factory. They were the only two to pay the reserve price necessary to participate in the international tender, the Sme daily reported.
You’ll get older when you enter a synagogue (video included)
In the last preserved synagogue in Bardejov life is still governed by the old rules of the Jewish community, once among the most numerous in this eastern Slovak town. There still is everything that there should be in a synagogue, including a genuine parchment Torah which nobody is allowed to touch.
Slovak troops leave for Afghanistan to join US specialists
A special Slovak military unit consisting of 20 soldiers is being deployed to Afghanistan, the Sme daily wrote on September 13. The soldiers will train local special-operations soldiers and fulfil field tasks and operations. The Slovak troops will join US soldiers who are pursuing key leaders of the Taliban and the Slovaks will join in this mission.
Number of tourists in the High Tatras grows by 8 percent from last year
The High Tatras, Slovakia’s biggest mountains, had more visitors this summer season than last year, said Peter Chudý, the director of the Tourism Alliance Vysoké Tatry (ZCR), the TASR newswire reported. "July and August were the crucial months. We've reported an overall growth of 8 percent for the three summer months [June, July and August]," Chudý stated, adding that the biggest increases were seen in June and August and that July was similar to last year due to rainy weather.
Teachers to protest against low state funding and poor salaries
About 7,000 to 8,000 teachers and other employees of Slovakia’s education sector plan a protest outside the Government Office in Bratislava on Tuesday, September 13, claiming that a shortage of funding and low salaries are the main shortcomings in the country’s education system, the TASR newswire reported. "We're keeping tabs on the situation; preparations are in full swing; [bus] coaches have been ordered [to bring teachers from throughout the country]," said Jozef Lužák, head of the education trade union. The protest seeks to remind the government of its failure to fulfil its manifesto from 2010, he added.
Trial begins of members of the Sýkora gang; two defendants plead guilty
The criminal trial of the so-called Sýkorky, an alleged Mafia group that was headed by the deceased Miroslav Sýkora, began on September 12, with two guilty pleas while the six remaining members of the gang who are on trial maintain their innocence, the Sme daily wrote on September 13.
Slovakia’s ruling coalition has not found the key for ESFS vote
Slovakia’s ruling coalition has not found agreement on support for the European bailout mechanism, the European Financial Stabilisation Fund (ESFS), that assists eurozone countries with sovereign debt crises, and there is talk about the possibility of the government falling, the Sme daily reported. Leaders of the ruling coalition have been striving to find a way to resolve the vote on the EFSF but have not done so thus far.
Statistics Office reports consumer prices increased 4 percent y-o-y in August
Consumer prices in Slovakia rose by 4 percent year-on-year in August, Slovakia’s Statistics Office announced on September 12, as reported by the TASR newswire. The most significant increase was registered in transport costs – up 6.3 percent, followed by housing, water supplies, electricity, gas and other fuels that increased by 5.6 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages, up 5.5 percent, education cost increasing by 4.8 percent, alcoholic beverages and tobacco increasing by 4.1 percent, health-care costs increasing by 3.7 percent. Prices of furniture, house furnishings and ordinary household maintenance fell by 0.5 percent year-on-year in August.
Last defendants in the Pápay gang murder are dead and case is closed after twelve years
A criminal prosecution in the murder of ten members of the alleged Mafia gang called the Pápays that occurred in the Fontána bar in Dunajská Streda was closed by the courts after more than twelve years, the Sme daily reported.
Survey finds a positive mood in Slovakia’s labour market
According to a survey recently conducted by the Manpower personnel firm released on September 12 there is a prevailing positive atmosphere in the Slovak labour market, the TASR newswire reported. The poll, entitled the Manpower Labour Market Index, was conducted among 753 employers in Slovakia. It showed that 12 percent of the surveyed companies are planning to increase the number of their employees in the last quarter of 2011 while 10 percent are planning to cut staff, with what the firm called the ‘net labour market index’ standing at plus 2 percent.
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- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
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- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
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- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
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- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
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- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
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- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
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- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
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- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process More articles ›
