Archive of articles - June 2012, page 11
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New expropriation law being drafted
THE TRANSPORT Ministry has assigned a team of people with the task of developing a draft law on expropriation of property to speed up the process of the state acquiring private land for highway construction.
Crisis prompts investors to refocus
SLOVAKIA and Italy are linked by extensive economic and commercial relations, and this network is woven from contacts between companies ranging in size from large corporations to small family businesses. Both countries have been stung by the global economic crisis, which has nonetheless brought new challenges and inspired new initiatives by potential investors.
Rare Renaissance frescoes uncovered in Beluša
Research ordered by the Monuments Board in Trenčín at St Elisabeth’s Church in Beluša in the Púchov district has uncovered a series of rare 17th century Renaissance frescoes. According to preservationists and historians, this unique discovery in the Považie (Váh River) region, could turn out to be the first of its kind ever found in Slovakia. Perhaps the most notable element in the find is ornamental painting dating from 1631 that decorates the entire dome of the church. The work consists of ornamental geometrical patterns containing plant motifs painted with authentic fresco technique. Through the centuries the frescoes had been painted over a number to times, the last being in 1940.
School-leaving exam results released
LIMITS on the number of students who can study at grammar schools and gymnasiums and greater motivation for those willing to go to vocational schools were among the first plans announced by Education Minister Dušan Čaplovič in April, saying that his main aim was to supply more graduates of technical education to the labour market. He also proposed to initiate changes in the way schools in Slovakia are financed, based on their quality rather than only the number of students they enrol.
Ambassadors' statement of support for Bratislava's Rainbow Pride parade
JUNE 9, 2012, marks the third annual Dúhový (Rainbow) Pride parade in Bratislava. We, as members of the international community, support both morally and practically the parade organisers and participants as they peacefully assemble to express their human rights and raise awareness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the Slovak Republic.
Rainbow Pride to be held in Bratislava
THE RAINBOW Pride rally to support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens, which was due to be held in Bratislava on June 9, has received the endorsement of 18 foreign ambassadors to Slovakia.
Ex-minister Štefanov files complaint against charges
Former construction minister Igor Štefanov has filed a complaint against the charges he faces over the infamous bulletin-board tender, Jana Benková, a spokesperson for his party, the Slovak National Party (SNS), said on Thursday, June 7, as reported by the TASR newswire.
Journalist will still face charges for disclosing salary of Harabin’s wife
Former Sme daily reporter Zuzana Petková has faced charges for more than a year because she wrote about the salary of the wife of Supreme Court President and chair of the Judicial Council, Štefan Harabin. Now, the District Prosecutor's Office has again turned down her complaint against the charges, Sme wrote on Friday, June 8.
Survey: Tax and levy increases could reduce workforce by 4.9%
Changes planned by the Government to the system of tax and payroll tax deductions will increase companies' costs by 7.8 percent on average, the Slovak Business Alliance (PAS) announced on Thursday, June 7. According to a survey carried out by PAS among 125 Slovak companies, the proposed measures may result in staff reductions of up to 4.9 percent and cuts in investment of 25.4 percent.
Frešo: No comment on Kucej's involvement in vaccine factory
Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) leader Pavol Frešo said on Thursday, June 7, that he would not comment on the role of former SDKÚ treasurer Igor Kucej in a controversy surrounding the construction of a secret state factory for producing vaccines. The Hospodárske Noviny daily on Thursday wrote that the commission for constructing a research pavilion for the factory was assigned to a firm owned by one of Kucej's business associates.
Number of unemployed graduates and school-leavers up 12,000 year-on-year
The number of unemployed Slovaks who have never held a full-time job increased in the first quarter of 2012 by almost 15.5 percent year-on-year, the Slovak Statistics Office announced on Thursday, June 7.
An island of growth in the EU
SLOVAKIA’S economic growth of 3 percent in the first quarter of 2012 was higher than the average of other countries in the eurozone as well as the average of all the other 26 countries of the European Union. Prime Minister Robert Fico called the economic performance good news even though the upbeat numbers were anticipated since May 15 when the Slovak Statistics Office released its flash estimate of GDP growth at 3.1 percent.
Three opposition parties plan to fight changes to second pension pillar
The opposition parties the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), Most-Híd and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) will support all forms of protest against changes planned by the government of Robert Fico (Smer) to the second pension pillar, it was announced on Wednesday, June 6.
State aid fell by almost 23 percent y/y in 2011
The amount of aid provided by the state to companies fell by €102.22 million (22.47 percent) in 2011 compared to 2010, reaching €352.61 million, according to a report drawn up by the Finance Ministry and approved by the government at a session held in Poltár, Banská Bystrica Region, on Wednesday, June 6.
Transparency International criticises Slovakia for its fight against corruption
The non-governmental organisation Transparency International (TI) has criticised Slovakia for not doing enough to fight corruption. On Wednesday, June 6, TI published a report on corruption risks in 25 countries; it wrote that determination to suppress and reveal corrupt practices has weakened not only in Slovakia, but also in Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Number of apartments built continues to fall
The number of started, completed and unfinished apartments in Slovakia continues to shrink. In the first quarter of this year a total of 2,856 apartments were completed, down 17.8 percent year-on-year. The number of apartments on which construction had started dropped 7.2 percent to 2,685; and altogether 64,777 apartments were under construction at the close of March, down 1.9 percent y/y, according to the Slovak Statistics Office.
Sme reports on village that reportedly violated music copyrights
The village of Heľpa, located in Banská Bystrica Region, must pay an invoice of more than €80 to copyright holders of songs that were sung during a Mother’s Day event since it had not specified the specific list of songs that would be performed, the Sme daily reported.
Slovak government to seek investor for bankrupt Slovglass company
Boosting the social and economic situation in Poltár, located in Banská Bystrica Region, was the main issue discussed during the first away-from-Bratislava session of the government that was held on June 6, with Prime Minister Robert Fico promising to help the glassworks in the town that declared bankruptcy in 2011, the TASR newswire reported.
Nominal monthly salary in Slovakia rises to €770
The average nominal monthly salary in Slovakia during the first quarter of 2012 rose by 3.2 percent year-on-year to €770 but the real purchasing power of the average salary decreased by 0.6 percent year-on-year due to increases in consumer prices, the SITA newswire reported.
Labour Ministry reports women earn 20 percent less than men
Salary differences between men and women prevail in Slovakia according to a recent report on gender equality prepared by the Labour Ministry, with the gender salary gap reaching up to 20 percent, the TASR newswire reported.
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- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- From eight to thousands of runners. How Košice marathon rose to prominence Photo
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Iconic Slovak barn still draws crowds. Without donors, it might have been lost Photo
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
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- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Legendary captain Zdeno Chára inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Video
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- 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 More articles ›
