Archive of articles - October 2011, page 15
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Half of Slovaks believe vocational education boosts job prospects
Fifty-four percent of people in Slovakia believe that vocational education and training pave the way to well-paid jobs, a Eurobarometer survey found. Additionally, 85 percent of those Slovaks polled said that vocational education and training contribute positively to the country's economy, the SITA newswire wrote about the poll. Slovak respondents were even more positive than the EU average of 83 percent.
Regional presidents object to proposed revenue plan advanced by the state
The heads of seven regional governments in Slovakia have called on Slovakia’s state government to scrap its proposed model for financing regions and municipalities in the future through a mix of taxes, saying it will deprive local and regional governments of financial resources, the Sme daily reported.
Slovakia’s KOVO union threatens blockage of border crossings
Slovakia’s KOVO metalworkers' trade union is threatening to block border crossing points with Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic for thirty minutes onOctober 11, the SITA newswire reported.
Eurozone bailout mechanism might be discussed by Coalition Council today
The position of Slovakia’s four-party Coalition Council regarding an increase in funding for the EFSF, Europe’s provisional debt bailout mechanism, and approval of the ESM, the permanent mechanism, could be under discussion on at the council’s meeting scheduled for October 4, the Sme daily reported.
Some Slovak doctors are solicited for jobs in the Czech Republic
Some of the Slovak doctors who handed in notices to terminate their employment contracts in protest against the policies of the Health Ministry have been offered jobs in the Czech Republic, the Sme daily wrote in its October 4 issue.
Austrian firm to open talc mine in Gemerská Poloma in Košice region
One of the world's largest talc deposits has been discovered near Gemerská Poloma in Košice region, the daily Hospodárske Noviny reported on October 3. "The deposit in Slovakia is most likely the third largest in the world, right after deposits in Pakistan and India," the daily reported, quoting Robert Schmid, director of Schmid Industrieholding and owner of the Austrian VSK Mining company, which financed the exploratory drilling.
Slovakia’s budget deficit in September is 30 percent lower than in 2010
Slovakia’s accumulated state budget deficit rose from €2.022 billion in August to €2.159 billion in September, the Finance Ministry reported on October 3, the TASR newswire reported. Compared to last year however, the state’s finances improved by almost €1 billion, or 30.6 percent, as the deficit had reached €3.11 billion in September 2010. The total planned budget deficit for 2011 is €3.8 billion, down from €4.4 billion last year, TASR newswire reported based on the ministry’s report.
Slovak animal rights activists call for a law to protect animals
Slovakia does not have a specific law on animal protection and according to the animal rights organisation Sloboda Zvierat, the current law on veterinary care and several state regulations do not guarantee the basic needs of animals or their dignified death, said representatives of the group at a press conference on October 3 in presenting their campaign for a new law, the SITA newswire reported. The group also welcomed the initiative of several MPs who are working on such a bill. "Such a draft is already prepared at the Agriculture Ministry. Representatives of the public can express their opinions about it," said MP Martin Poliačik from the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, as quoted by the SITA newswire. The MP added that the draft’s first reading could take place this year. Poliačik stated that Slovakia lags far behind other European states in this area but he praised the fact that MPs of both the governing coalition and the opposition are members of a group working on the proposal.
Merkel and Radičová discuss vote on EFSF and ESM
Prime Minister Iveta Radičová discussed ratification of the changes in the European bailout mechanisms with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to the two-day summit of the Eastern Partnership in Warsaw on September 29-30, the Sme daily reported, writing that there is hope of persuading the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party to change its attitude towards approval of the changes in the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) and the establishment of permanent European Stability Mechanism (ESM).
New York-based Chinese television covers incident involving MP Ondrej Dostál
The visit of MP Ondrej Dostál from the Civil Conservative Party (OKS) to the reception commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the People’s Republic of China was covered by Chinese television station NTD, based in New York City, which used videos made by the Sme daily to report the story, the newspaper reported on October 1.
Jobless rate in Slovakia grows in August; eurozone records no change
Slovakia’s unemployment rate grew in August in monthly terms while the unemployment rate remained unchanged in the entire eurozone and the European Union, the SITA newswire reported.
European Judges Association criticises Justice Minister Žitňanská
In a resolution passed at the beginning of September, the European Association of Judges stated that Justice Minister Lucia Žitňanská’s desire to have more public control of Slovakia’s judiciary will increase the government’s influence over the judiciary, the Sme daily reported.
FNM will sell Slovak Telekom stocks
THE SLOVAK Property Fund (FNM) will announce a public competition to appoint an adviser on the sale of the state’s 49-percent share in Slovak Telekom (ST). The package will not be sold to ST’s majority shareholder, Deutsche Telekom, the SITA newswire reported.
Chamber music remains the soul of local festival
MIXING and joining. That is what Slovakia’s Convergences festival has been doing for over a decade and its 2011 edition proved again that having the courage and enthusiasm to merge different musical styles and various artists – who may seem worlds apart – pays dividends when approached with an open mind and a good musical ear.
Johns Manville expands in Trnava
JOHNS Manville, a US-based manufacturer of glass fibre products, announced plans in mid July to expand fibre production capacities at its facility in Trnava in western Slovakia. Johns Manville (JM) first invested in Europe in 2004 and its announcement of the production expansion plan in Slovakia shows its commitment to the European composites business, the company wrote on its website.
Needed: a long-term strategy for education
THE DEVELOPMENT of a long-term strategy for enhancing Slovakia’s competitiveness and a strategy for educational reform are areas where Jake Slegers, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Slovak Republic, or AmCham, sees a major role for his organisation. Slegers, an American who has lived in Slovakia for most of the last 17 years, notes that there is a dangerous disconnect whereby the Slovak education system produces well-educated graduates, but not of the type that industry is seeking. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Slegers about the quality of the business environment, reform of labour legislation, and the path taken by AmCham over the past decade.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Attempt to ‘buy’ law uncovered
THE LAW on pensions came close to becoming a commodity in a corruption case recently revealed at the Labour Ministry. However, a senior official who had been asked to change the wording of the law to suit a specific interest group – in return for a stay in a luxury hotel in the High Tatras and a payment of up to €20,000 – refused to comply and instead alerted the police.
Gemer celebrates its mining history
THE USUALLY relaxed mining town of Rožňava in Košice Region was quite busy at the end of August as host of the 4th year of a gathering of miners from towns and villages from across central Europe, and the local residents were pleased to offer their guests a sampling of traditional Upper Gemer hospitality.
Čierny Peter
THE RULES of the game are simple: The dealer deals thirty-three cards – sixteen pairs and one with no match – to two or more players. The players discard any pairs they have, and take turns offering their hand to the person next to them. The neighbour selects one card and if it forms a pair with one of his original cards, he discards the pair. The game goes on until all players have no cards, apart from one who is left with the unmatchable card – the Black Peter.
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