Around 150,000 foreign nationals and migrants are currently working in Slovakia, helping to fill labor shortages. The largest numbers are employed in western Slovakia, particularly in the Bratislava, Trnava and Nitra regions. However, the majority work in Slovakia through agencies and on a temporary basis.
Most foreign workers come from Ukraine and India. According to Iveta Dorčáková, spokesperson for the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, nearly 62,000 foreigners currently hold residence permits in Slovakia, with around half of them working in the automotive industry.
Another 59,000 foreign nationals came to Slovakia specifically for employment, Dorčáková said. As she added, out of the total, nearly 15,600 individuals were employed in roles as auxiliary and unskilled workers.
Viktor Marušák, Secretary General of the Automotive Industry Association, explains that companies need foreign workers because they are no longer able to find employees locally. “The fact that the Slovak economy must increasingly rely on foreign workers stems primarily from the exhaustion of the labor market. In other words, everyone who is able and willing to work is already employed,” Marušák said.
A survey by the Profesia portal reveals that Slovaks are apprehensive about the foreign workforce. Spokesperson Ľubica Melcerová explains: “Distrust of foreigners in the Slovak labor market has risen sharply over the past year. People are most concerned about their own wages; nearly three-quarters of employees believe that the influx of cheaper foreign labor is holding back their salary growth.”
The Labor Inspectorate, however, states that foreigners are, on the contrary, vulnerable in the labor market. Director General Alena Zvarová Bašistová: “The position of foreigners—specifically third-country nationals—within employment relationships in Slovakia is generally vulnerable, a situation stemming from both language barriers and a lack of familiarity with the legislation.” According to her, inspections focus primarily on compliance with the Labor Code and safety regulations; no cases of abuse have been confirmed. Foreign workers often do not even report potential violations of their rights.
According to trade unions, the large number of foreign and agency workers weakens collective bargaining and the defense of employee rights. Confederation of Trade Unions spokesperson Martina Németová says: “After all, such employees are with the employer for only a limited time and have little interest in joining a trade union.”
If working conditions do not suit a foreign worker, they do not negotiate but simply leave the job.
Source: STVR
