The Labour Ministry reports that 100,000 people are at any one time on sick leave from work, about five per cent of the Slovak working population, with the ratio rising in poorer regions where people use sick leave to earn extra money as field hands or in construction.
The ministry has promised to reform the social benefits system to prevent such abuses, which annually cost the state budget billions of crowns.
Compiled by Tom Nicholson from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
