EconomyOther Economy

American Investor Might Give Jobs to 600 People in Eastern Slovakia

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - A significant US investor might create up to 600 new jobs in eastern Slovakia, Economy and Construction Minister Juraj Miskov (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) has told TASR. "The investor is choosing between Slovakia and Poland," said Miskov, adding that the decision regarding the location of the higher value added investment should be made… read more

FinMin: It\'s Easy to Create New Tax on Banks, But We Prefer Better Moves

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - It is surprising how quickly Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico is able to prepare a legislative proposal on the additional taxation of banks, even though he was unable to take any tangible steps during the four years of his government, Finance Ministry spokesman Martin Jaros told TASR on Tuesday. Jaros was speaking in reaction to Smer's proposal… read more

Mihal Outlines Planned Changes in Labour Sector

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry is planning to introduce legislative changes aimed at boosting employment, with minister Jozef Mihal (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) describing the fight against unemployment as the "top priority", TASR learnt on Tuesday. The changes will concern certain provisions in the Labour Code, with… read more

Unemployment Rate Rose Moderately in September to 12.42 percent

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - Slovakia's unemployment rate rose by 0.23 percentage points in September to reach 12.42 percent, the Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Office (UPSVaR) announced on Tuesday. A total of 377,007 job-seekers were registered at job centres in September. Of this number, 333,841 were immediately available to start work. The figure was 6,734… read more

Slovakia\'s Smoked Sheep\'s Cheese Receives EU\'s TSG Label

Brussels, October 19 (TASR-correspondent) - Slovakia's traditional smoked sheep's cheese (Ovci salasnicky udeny syr) is to be included among the so-called "traditional specialities guaranteed" (TSG), according to a decision made by the European Commission on Monday. The inclusion of the product on the TSG list won't prevent Slovakia-based firms from producing this specific… read more

Figel: Existing Infrastructure Could Be Used for Broad-Gauge Rail

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - The decision on the construction of broad-gauge railroad track across Slovakia will be postponed to December 15, Transport Minister Jan Figel (Christian Democrats/KDH) said at a press conference on Monday. According to Figel, this is because the study on the feasibility of broad-gauge track needs to be augmented by an evaluation of using… read more

Sulik Wants to Reduce MPs\' Salaries By So-called Fico Levy

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - The paypacket of an MP is to go down by the so-called Fico levy. "We're introducing the Fico levy that will amount to double the value of the deficit (in percentage terms)," Parliamentary Speaker Richard Sulik (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) said on Monday. Sulik added that by virtue of this amendment to the Public Officials Reimbursement… read more

Figel: Slovakia to Continue Building Motorways

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - Transport Minister Jan Figel on Monday gave assurances that the Government and his ministry will continue to build motorways and in a cheaper and more efficient fashion than the previous government. Marking one hundred days in office, Figel said that motorway construction under the former government was entirely based around public-private… read more

Butora: Slovakia\'s Rejection of Loan to Greece Could Backfire

Bratislava, October 17 (TASR) - The refusal to lend money to Greece could backfire on Slovakia, thinks sociologist and honorary president of the Public Affairs Institute (IVO) Martin Butora. Butora said Slovakia could face a backlash, for example, during decision-making on the European budget, the launch of new projects, or when it comes to support for Slovak candidates… read more

Analysts: Banks and Their Clients Shouldn\'t Pay For Politicians\' Incapability

Bratislava, October 16 (TASR) - Bank clients, as well as banks themselves, should not pay the price for politicians' bad management of public finances, think bank analysts approached by TASR. At the same time, the analysts point out that an extraordinary taxation of banks and financial institutions, as proposed by opposition Smer-SD as a counterpart to Government's austerity… read more

Miklos: Slovakia Should Have Organisation to Check Public Budgets

Bratislava, October 15 (TASR) - There should be a small organisation established in Slovakia dedicated to checking the public budgets, thinks Slovak Finance Minister Ivan Miklos. Miklos, speaking at a press conference marking 100 days in office, explained that this organisation would be under the remit of his advisor and former executive director for research at the Slovak… read more

Miklos Criticises Former Chiefs of Tipos for Wasteful Spending

Bratislava, October 14 (TASR) - Under the previous government of Robert Fico, the national lottery company Tipos excessively promoted concerts of foreign music bands and local sports clubs, Finance Minister Ivan Miklos told Parliament after Tipos saw its managers removed with the new government taking office. Speaking during Question Hour in Parliament, Miklos added… read more

Radicova: Slovakia Has to Return €13m to EU Because of Fico\'s Cabinet

Bratislava, October 14 (TASR) - Slovakia will lose more than €13 million over violations of EU regulations committed by Robert Fico's government, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) said in Parliament on Thursday. "Slovakia is obligated to return the resources for all unauthorised expenditures back to EU," said Radicova. She was referring mainly to two large projects… read more

Radicova: Tunnelling Only Word for \'Information Society\' Implementation

Bratislava, October 14 (TASR) - The implementation of the EU-funded Operational Programme 'Information Society' (OPIS) to this day can't be described by any other word but tunnelling, Premier Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) told TASR in an interview marking the first 100 days of her new Cabinet. "An audit that we've had carried out has not only shown risks in terms of the law,… read more

Gov\'t: Minimum Wage to Go Up to €317 per Month as of January 2011

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - The minimum wage in Slovakia should increase by 3 percent, rising from the current €307.70 per month to €317, the Government decided at its session on Wednesday. A compromise 3-percent increase was proposed by Labour Minister Jozef Mihal after the social partners (Government, employers and trade unions) failed to reach agreement in… read more