The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Slovakia) and its Business Shared Service Centers Forum (BSCF) will bring their perspective to Slovak public officials "to help ensure that Slovakia remains a welcoming place for all to do business", according to their position statement issued in reaction to the recent attack on a Filipino expat in Bratislava on May 26.
Henry Acorda succumbed to his injuries in one of Bratislava's hospitals five days after he was brutally beaten by Slovak citizen Juraj Hossu.
Acorda was an employee of the IBM International Service Centre in Bratislava, a member of the BSCF. AmCham and the BSCF offered their condolences to the family and survivors of the victim.
"AmCham Slovakia and BSCF affiliated companies, employing more than 32,000 workers in the third largest sector of the Slovak economy, including a number of foreign experts, condemn all forms of violence in our community, regardless of the motivation, including intolerance, xenophobia and racism," the statement provided to The Slovak Spectator reads. "Similar expressions have no place in any civilized society."
AmCham and the BSCF say they are encouraged that the authorities are taking their concerns seriously and that they are taking immediate steps to increase security on the streets.
IBM ISC reacted for The Slovak Spectator earlier this week.
"Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and colleagues,” the company’s spokesperson Vladislav Doktor said. “We are in touch with the family and the embassy and we will assist the authorities as they conduct their investigations."
