18 Feb 2022, 13:38 PM

Janša & Orban Will Sign Cross -Border Cooperation Agreement on Monday

STA, 18 February 2022 - Prime Minister Janez Janša will meet his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Lendava on Monday to sign an agreement on cooperation in the development of the regions with mixed Slovenian-Hungarian population, Janša's office confirmed on Friday. Bilateral relations will also be discussed, the office said.

The meeting was also confirmed by Budapest, with the Hungarian press agency MTI reporting that the PMs will sign an agreement to set up a joint fund for the development of Prekmurje and Porabje, the border regions populated by the Hungarian and Slovenian ethnic minorities.

Janša and Orban are to talk about ways to encourage economic and social development of the two regions with the signing of the agreement in Lendava being the main event of Orban's visit.

Based on the agreement, a development programme will be formed securing additional funding in the 2022-2026 period for promoting economic development and minority media, cultural and education institutions.

As part of the visit, Education Minister Simona Kustec and Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar will sign an agreement on cooperation in education, culture and science for the 2022-2025 period.

According to Janša's office, the Slovenian government stresses the need for improving the material situation of the Slovenian community in Porabje.

Young generations in particular need to be given opportunities to preserve the language and culture of their community, and find job and business opportunities in their local environment, it said.

Slovenia and Hungary have had intensive dialogue on all levels, which was confirmed when the two countries' governments met in Celje in September 2021, the prime minister's office said.

Economic cooperation has also been picking up, as Hungary is Slovenia's seventh most important trade partner.

Slovenia has been implementing development programmes in areas inhabited by the Hungarian ethnic minority since 2017, while Hungary launched a development programme in Porabje in 2020.

All our stories on Slovenia and Hungary

18 Feb 2022, 11:36 AM

Slovenia's Defence Spending Far Below NATO Average

STA, 17 February 2022 - Slovenia is still among the NATO countries with the lowest defence spending. It ranks 25th in terms of efforts to have 2% of GDP allocated for defence and 26th when it comes to defence investments, Defence Minister Matej Tonin said in Brussels on Thursday as a two-day NATO ministerial drew to a close.

NATO defence ministers, meeting to discuss the Russian threat to Ukraine, also reviewed the implementation of the key defence goals of the alliance, which Tonin said had been very unpleasant for Slovenia.

NATO countries committed at a summit in Wales in 2014 to raise their defence spending to 2% of GDP in ten years and to spend 20% of defence funds on investments.

According to the latest data, Slovenia's efforts towards achieving these two goals put her on the 25th and 26th place within the alliance, respectively. "So much about the much talked about excessive spending of Slovenia, of which we hear at home," Tonin said.

This year, Slovenia will allocate 1.3% of GDP for defence and in 2023 and 2024 this will rise to 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Nine NATO countries already meet the 2% goal and about half of them expect to reach it in 2024, he said, adding that "unfortunately, Slovenia will not be among them".

Ministers stressed during debate in Brussels that it was not fair that economically weaker countries were paying for the security of the economically stronger countries. "Solidarity is not without limits," he said.

As for the goal of having 20% of defence money spent on investment, Slovenia has made significant progress in the past five years, increasing the share from just 5% to 17% last year. This year, this is to rise to 22% and next year to 23%, Tonin said.

He noted that NATO charts showed somewhat different figures as data was collected in October when Slovenia was still in the process of passing the budgets.

Last June, Slovenia's defence spending amounted to 1.28% of GDP, which was among the smallest shares in NATO, and allocated 15.7% of defence funds for investment, which was the lowest share of all NATO countries.

Asked whether US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin commented on Slovenia's defence spending at a bilateral meeting, Tonin said Austin had noticed Slovenia's efforts.

He said Austin had acknowledged that the Slovenian government had achieved a lot in this term and that progress was visible. He also expressed the wish for Slovenia to continue on this path.

18 Feb 2022, 11:30 AM

Slovenia Will Send Technical Equipment to Ukraine, No Weapons

STA, 17 February 2022 - Slovenia will respond to Ukraine's request for military and economic aid by providing technical equipment such as mobile kitchens, heated tents and dual-use equipment, but no weapons, Defence Minister Matej Tonin said in Brussels on Thursday after a two-day NATO ministerial.

Tonin stressed that NATO's intelligence and satellite footages did not confirm Russia's claims of withdrawal and reduction of military presence along the Ukrainian border, so NATO believed Russia was misleading the public.

The current situation is foremost harming the country's economy, so Ukraine asked for military and economic assistance, Tonin said, adding the country did not expect NATO countries to fight on its behalf. They are prepared to fight themselves if necessary.

Since the Ukrainian ambassador to Slovenia said the country needed mobile kitchens and heated tents, this is what Slovenia will provide, the minister said.

Ukraine has also requested additional aid as part of the European mechanism for civil protection. In the first phase, Slovenia will donate sleeping bags, boots, diesel generators and gloves in the total value of EUR 62,000.

"Slovenia currently has no plans to send weapons to Ukraine, but we will send dual-use equipment," Tonin said.

Srečanje obrambnih ministrov #DefMin #Nato je pokazalo, da je zveza Nato v kritičnih situacijah enotna - naša vrednota je ohranjanje suverenosti in ozemeljske celovitosti, naš cilj mir. #WeAreAlies pic.twitter.com/BZNRI6VE3y
— Matej Tonin (@MatejTonin) February 17, 2022

The main topic of the two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers was the planned strengthening of the presence of allied forces in SE Europe in response to Russia's threat.

Slovenia currently participates in the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia under Canada's command, which was set up as a response to the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea.

Slovenian troops serve in a contingent together with members of the Montenegrin army.

Tonin also attended in Brussels today a meeting of countries participating in the mission. He said that the contingent in which there was currently some 50 Slovenian and ten Montenegrin troops would be joined by nine or ten Macedonian soldiers in June.

According to Tonin, Slovenia is ready to increase the number of its troops in Latvia, in any other existing mission or in potential new ones. The problem with increasing the number of Slovenian soldiers is limited capacity, he said.

The minister also noted that representatives of the Defence Ministry had recently paid a working visit to Lithuania, where the Enhanced Forward Presence is led by Germany. Slovenia is prepared to increase cooperation in the future "but first we need to see what the future brings", Tonin said.

18 Feb 2022, 09:17 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Friday, 18 February 2022

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Slovenia fully supports EU efforts on Ukraine

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Prime Minister Janez Janša expressed "full support for EU efforts for de-escalation" after EU leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine. He lauded the EU's unity on the issue, which he said would make it harder for Russian President Vladimir Putin to play his game. Defence Minister Matej Tonin meanwhile announced Slovenia would help Ukraine with equipment such as mobile kitchens, heated tents and dual-use equipment, but no weapons. In the first phase, Slovenia will donate sleeping bags, boots, diesel generators and gloves in the total value of EUR 62,000.

Slovenia's defence spending still among lowest in NATO

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia is still among the NATO countries with the lowest defence spending. It ranks 25th in terms of efforts to have 2% of GDP allocated for defence and 26th when it comes to defence investments, Defence Minister Matej Tonin said after a NATO ministerial. This year, Slovenia will allocate 1.3% of GDP for defence and in 2023 and 2024 this will rise to 1.4% and 1.5%, respectively. As for the goal of having 20% of defence money spent on investment, Slovenia increased the share from 5% to 17% last year. This year, this is to rise to 22%.

Slovenian troops remain in Mali for now

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Defence Minister Matej Tonin said that Slovenian soldiers remain in Mali for now and continue training Mali troops, after France announced its troops would withdraw from the country. Tonin noted that a formal decision on the EU mission there has not yet been adopted yet. He finds it hard to accept that the EU would now leave to give room to the Russian Wagner group. "A few Russian mercenaries should not undermine the EU's efforts in Mali."

Pahor declines call to prevent "political" appointments of diplomats

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor turned down a call by the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) not to sign a decree appointing new ambassadors ahead of the general election. He said that postponement of the appointments as part of regular rotation would be unjustified and harm the country's foreign policy interests in the international community. Pahor said that the appointments were necessary as the terms of the current ambassadors were expiring. The procedure in "not tied to the electoral cycle, which is good."

Slovenia interested in hosting regional OshKosh maintenance base

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Defence Minister Matej Tonin said Slovenia was interested in hosting a regional maintenance base for US-made OshKosh armoured vehicles as he held talks on Thursday with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Slovenia bought three dozen OshKosh vehicles last year and Tonin noted countries in the Western Balkans were among the buyers as well. Slovenia has the know-how and experience. A regional maintenance centre would also be a good opportunity for the Slovenian economy, he said.

New US Ambassador Harpootlian presents credentials to Pahor

LJUBLJANA - The new US Ambassador to Slovenia Jamie L. Harpootlian presented her credentials to President Borut Pahor after the US Embassy in Ljubljana was headed by the chargé d'affaires for more than a year. "My goal is to be a bridge to work every day to open avenues for working together and strengthening our partnership to support our common vision for peace, prosperity and a healthier planet for all people," the new ambassador was quoted as saying by the US Embassy.

Orban due in Slovenia next week

LJUBLJANA - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is to make an official visit to Slovenia on Monday as part of which he is to meet his counterpart Janez Janša in Lendava, the newspaper Večer and TV Slovenija reported citing unofficial sources. Janša's office has not responded to the STA's question about the visit. Večer says Janša and Orban are due to sign an agreement on economic cooperation. The paper also links the visit to the upcoming elections in both countries.

Covid-19 figures keep improving

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's coronavirus curve keeps falling both in terms of new cases and hospitalisations. A total of 4,542 new cases were confirmed on Wednesday, just over a third of the figure reported a week ago and slightly fewer than the day before. The 14-day notification rate per 100,000 is now below 5,000. The number of patients hospitalised because of Covid-19 fell to 513, of which 108 are in intensive care. Another 14 fatalities were reported among patients who had tested positive for coronavirus.

Call issued to separate politics from corporate governance

LJUBLJANA - The Directors' Association and the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) issued a call to political parties for a social consensus on corporate governance to be reached. They believe the time is right to make commitments to separate politics from the governance of state-owned companies. KPK president Robert Šumi said they wanted to note this was one of the most important issues for the future governance of the state.

Health fund director worried about additional expenses

LJUBLJANA - Tatjana Mlakar, director general of the ZZZS public health insurer, noted the new obligations imposed on the ZZZS do not have long-term financial coverage, expressing her concern in an interview with the STA that this would result in a reduction of rights of insured persons. Under the 2022 financial plan adopted last December, a EUR 149 million shortfall of revenue over expenditure is planned, but given the new permanent financial obligations, the deficit is expected to be even higher.

Cargo-partner launches expansion of Brnik logistics centre

BRNIK - Ground was broken for an expansion of Cargo-partner's logistics centre in Brnik, not far from the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, an investment worth almost EUR 12 million that is slated for completion in November and will create 20-30 new jobs. The expansion will increase warehousing capacity from 25,000 to 39,000 square metres and reflects rapidly increasing volumes and Slovenia's potential in logistics and transport.

Slovenian company building Europe's biggest hemp factory

KOMENDA - Slovenian company PharmaHemp has started building an EUR 11 million facility to produce and process hemp products in Komenda, north of Ljubljana, in what it says will bring together the broadest range of services in the field of hemp in Europe. The 3,320-square metre hemp factory will be "the most modern and technologically-advanced infrastructure for the processing and production of raw materials and products from hemp", the company announced.

Got approves EUR 2m for Rogaška observation tower

LJUBLJANA - The government on Wednesday approved up to EUR 2 million to subsidise the construction of an observation tower in Rogaška Slatina, the community in eastern Slovenia known for centuries for its natural spas. The 106-metre high Crystal Tower, which is to be the tallest such structure in the country, made headlines before being endorsed in the December 2020 referendum. Valued at EUR 3.7 million, the investment is slated for completion in early 2023.

German poet Jan Wagner to receive Pont literary prize

KOPER - German poet Jan Wagner received the Pont Euro-Mediterranean literary prize at a ceremony in Koper that included a presentation of his poetry collection Self-Portrait with a Swarm of Bees. The award is presented by the Science and Research Centre Koper and the publisher Beletrina for literary achievements that "transcend borders and look for bridges between different social groups and cultural and religious communities".

Ferk Saioni 9th in Olympic women's Alpine combined

BEIJING, China - Maruša Ferk Saioni finished 9th in the women's Alpine combined at the Beijing Olympics, the last career Olympic appearance for the 33-year-old. The event saw a double victory of Swiss skiers. The Slovenian was 6th in the downhill part of the competition. Overall, it is the best of her 16 appearances in four Winter Olympic Games.

17 Feb 2022, 12:45 PM

PharmaHemp Building Europe's Largest Hemp Plant in Komenda

STA, 17 February 2022 - Slovenian company PharmaHemp has started building an EUR 11 million facility to produce and process hemp products in Komenda, north of Ljubljana, in what it says will bring together the broadest range of services in the field of hemp in Europe.

The 3,320-square metre hemp factory will be "the most modern and technologically-advanced infrastructure for the processing and production of raw materials and products from hemp", the company announced in a press release.

The investment into production, storage and office premises is to enable the company to later expand to the pharmaceutical business of production of active substances suitable to be built into various types of cannabis-based medications.

"The expansion will add to the company's existing portfolio of technological solutions in research, development, processing, production and laboratory testing of raw materials and industrial hemp products," reads the release from PharmaHemp.

The company says it is one of few to have successfully completed the validation process for two applications for novel food authorisation with the European Commission, for cannabidiol (CBD) and for hemp extract. The procedure validates the safety of products containing CBD and other cannabinoids.

According to information posted on its website, PharmaHemp started out as a family business in the former Yugoslavia in 1965 before introducing in 1995 a pioneering line of body care products enriched with cold pressed hemp oil.

Lean more about PharmaHemp

17 Feb 2022, 11:50 AM

Slovenia’s COVID Numbers Keep Falling

STA, 17 February 2022 - Slovenia's coronavirus curve keeps falling both in terms of new cases and hospitalisations. A total of 4,542 new cases were confirmed on Wednesday, just over a third of the figure reported a week ago.

Government data shows a total of 513 patients were being treated in hospitals for Covid-19 as their main condition this morning, including 108 in intensive care units.

Hospitalisations thus fell by another 16 from yesterday where the number of ICU cases is down by two.

The overall number of patients with confirmed coronavirus infection in hospitals also fell, by 21 to 890.

This was after another 14 patients died yesterday after testing positive for coronavirus.

According to the National Institute of Public Health, the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people fell by 572 to 4,945 and the seven-day average of new cases by 1,077 to 5,581.

An estimated 104,310 people are actively infected in the country, which is a decrease of more than 12,000 from yesterday's estimate.

The latest infections were picked from 2,446 PCR tests and 91,353 rapid antigen tests.

More data on Slovenia and COVID

17 Feb 2022, 11:27 AM

Rogaška Slatina Gets €2m for 106m Observation Tower

STA, 17 February 2022 - The government has approved up to EUR 2 million to subsidise the construction of an observation tower in Rogaška Slatina, the community in eastern Slovenia known for centuries for its natural spas.

A release issued by the Government Communication Office after Wednesday's correspondence session of the cabinet said the government approved the funding as it included the project in the 2022-2025 plan of development programmes.

The 106-metre high Crystal Tower is one of the key projects in Rogaška Slatina's strategy to develop as a tourism destination, boost revenue from the industry and make the town and the region more competitive.

025_OBSERVATION_TOWER_KRISTAL_ROGASKA_SLATINA_Nande_Korpnik_PONTING_2019.jpg

Picture: www.ponting.si

The release from the government says the project will create new jobs, five directly once the investment is completed, as well as indirectly in its multiplier effect on the economy as a whole. As the tower will be located in a degraded urban area it will tap on the as yet unused potential of the destination.

The local community backed the erection of what will be the tallest observation tower in Slovenia in a referendum in December 2020 in the aftermath of objections raised by part of the residents.

The investment is valued at EUR 3.7 million. The municipal authorities acquired the development permit for the tower in July 2021 and reckon it could be completed by early 2023.

More about the project

17 Feb 2022, 07:10 AM

Morning Headlines for Slovenia: Thursday, 17 February 2022

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA:

Health care, social care staff on strike

LJUBLJANA - Nurses, staff at social care institutions and pharmacies are on strike today after failing to make meaningful progress it talks with the government either on a rise to tackle pay disparities or work standards. According to the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija, 50,000 staff are on strike. Only urgent services are provided at most hospitals, health centres and social work centres, and work at care homes shifted to Sunday mode. Pharmacies are only issuing urgent medications.

Slovenia with additional bond issues worth EUR 750m

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia performed additional issues of two bonds in the total amount of EUR 750 million, adding EUR 350 million to the bond due in March 2032 and EUR 400 million to the bond due in October 2050. The treasury has also earmarked US$582.7 million and EUR 15 million for repurchase of dollar- and euro-denominated state bonds maturing in 2023 and 2024.

Energy aid package okayed at committee level

LJUBLJANA - The Infrastructure Committee okayed on Wednesday a government-sponsored package of aid for households and companies to mitigate energy-price hikes. It brings EUR 150 energy vouchers for certain groups, temporary exemption of payment of contributions and network fees for electricity and equation of rights of all household consumers. Prior to the debate, Infrastructure Ministry State Secretary Blaž Košorok noted that the measures envisaged in the package were worth a total of EUR 210 million.

MPs in favour of changes to border control act

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Home Affairs Committee endorsed late on Tuesday amendments to the state border control act under which border municipalities would get EUR 2.5 million to cover the costs they incur as a result of enhanced border patrolling to prevent illegal migration. Božo Predalič, a state secretary at the Interior Ministry, said the bill brought a legal basis to partly refund the costs these municipalities had due to the enhanced border control. Only the Left raised objections.

Slovenian MEPs welcome EU court's rule of law decision

STRASBOURG, France - Slovenian MEPs welcomed the decision by the European Court of Justice to reject a challenge by Poland and Hungary against a mechanism allowing Brussels to cut funding to member states that do not comply with rule of law requirements. Tanja Fajon and Milan Brglez (S&D/SD) said the EU Commission had no more excuses for not taking action now against what Fajon said were "autocratic leaders" of Poland, Hungary and Slovenia. EPP members said the rules should apply to everyone equally.

Ukraine unity day marked in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA - The Ukraine unity day was marked in front of the Ukrainian Embassy in Ljubljana by about a dozen people. The event was organised as a show of support for the country and defiance amid fears of a possible Russian invasion. The group hoisted the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag and played the national anthem. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared unity day for 16 February, a date when some media said the Russians could invade Ukraine.

Daily coronavirus count falls to 4,716

LJUBLJANA - A total of 4,716 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Tuesday, only two-thirds of the case count the day before and 7% down from the bank holiday a week ago. Official figures show the 14-day incidence per 100,000 fell by 923 to 5,517 and the seven-day average of new cases declined by 57 to 6,658. Hospitalisation fell as well, with 110 patients still treated for Covid in intensive care. Another 15 patients infected with coronavirus died yesterday.

Slovenia supports EU Commission's initiatives on space traffic management

TOULOUSE, France - Economy Ministry State Secretary Simon Zajc attended in Toulouse on Wednesday an informal meeting of the EU ministers in charge of competition to discuss initiatives on space traffic management and an informal session of the council of the European Space Agency (ESA). He expressed support to the European Commission's proposals.

Govt endorses public health fund's financial plan for 2022

LJUBLJANA - The government endorsed at a correspondence session on Wednesday the financial plan of the public Health Insurance Institute (ZZZS) for 2022, which projects a shortfall of revenue over expenditure of around EUR 149 million. The ZZZS's expenditure in 2022 is planned at EUR 3.72 billion, an increase of EUR 215.7 million or 6.2% compared to 2021. The ZZZS plans to cover the deficit of EUR 148.9 million from the surpluses of past years.

Left withdraws motion to call referendum on income tax act

LJUBLJANA - The Left has withdrawn its motion for a consultative referendum on changes to the income tax act, as the government had indicated the referendum could be held on the same day as the general election. Left coordinator Luka Mesec said the party did not want to enable the government to build its election campaign on "promises of higher wages." Mesec said on Wednesday that the Left did not want to give the centre-right the opportunity to build the campaign "at the expense of the devastated budget", while adding that the party still held the position that the changes were detrimental.

Hackers breach POP TV personal data

LJUBLJANA - The scope of the cyberattack that broadcaster POP TV suffered on 8 February is becoming clear. The company revealed hackers gained access to some personal data of individuals recruited for its shows, visitors to live shows, and personnel recruitment data. Unofficial information reported by some media suggests POP TV was the victim of a ransomware attack executed via an infected email attachment. The attackers have reportedly demanded a high ransom to unlock the encrypted data.

Banks' after-tax profit up by 17% in 2021

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's banking system generated an after-tax profit of EUR 527.3 million last year, an increase of 17.1% compared to the previous year. Pre-tax profit rose by about a fifth to stand at EUR 564.7 million, shows a report releases by the central bank. Banka Slovenije said the profit would only be a third of what it is now if the long-term average of impairments and provisions had been taken into account. Total assets of the Slovenian banking system rose by 8.1% in 2021 to EUR 48.3 billion.

Pensions going up by 4.4%

LJUBLJANA) - Pensioners will get 4.4% higher pensions at the end of the month in line with regular annual adjustment with wages and consumer prices. Back rise for January will be paid out as well. The adjustment will cost the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute (ZPIZ) EUR 268 million at the annual level, said ZPIZ official Andraž Rangus after the council endorsed the rise. Pensions already went up by 1% to 3.5% in January to make up for the lag resulting from the pension freeze during austerity years.

Lendava spa to reopen later this year

LENDAVA - The spa in Lendava, known for its paraffin thermal water, has been closed for more than a year after being acquired in late 2019 by Comitatus Energia, a Hungarian fund. Responding to concerns aired by trade unions and the community, director Daniel Kovacs said the spa would reopen this year after the buildings had been renovated and new services introduced. He could not give a specific date yet. Almost all workers are on furlough and receive 100% pay. Kovacs promised further hirings and no layoffs.

Ljubljana mayor receives state decoration in Serbia

LJUBLJANA - Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković was honoured with a state decoration by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić as the country marked its Statehood Day on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Ljubljana today, Janković denied speculation by some Serbian media that he could become the next mayor of Serbia's capital Belgrade. "I made it clear in Belgrade that I am not a candidate for mayor. I don't know yet if I will run in Ljubljana again," he said.

Klemeničič to carry Slovenian flag at Olympic closing

BEIJING, China - Cross-country skier Anita Klemenčič will carry the Slovenian flag at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on Sunday. The only other Slovenian athlete to attend will be her cross-country teammate Neža Žerjav with the remaining members of Team Slovenia already at home or on their way there. With a tally of two golds, three silvers and two bronze medals, Slovenia currently ranks 14th among all countries on the Olympic medal table.

Janja Garnbret becomes Slovenia's tourism ambassador

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) has entered a partnership with Janja Garnbret, currently the world's best female climber, multiple world champion and Olympic gold medallist. Garnbret has thus joined a number of Slovenian top athletes who have become ambassadors of Slovenian tourism, the STO announced on Wednesday.

Opposition calls for emergency session to stop Sava sale

Ljubljana, 16 February - A group of opposition MPs has tabled a request for an emergency session of the National Assembly on the sale of the 43% stake in Slovenian tourism company Sava by private fund York. They intend to reiterate their call at the session to the government and Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) for the state to exercise its pre-emptive right.

16 Feb 2022, 15:42 PM

Slovenian Pensions Will Rise By 4.4% at End of Month

STA, 16 February 2022 - Pensioners will get 4.4% higher pensions at the end of the month in line with regular annual adjustment with wages and consumer prices. Back rise for January will be paid out as well.

The adjustment will cost the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute (ZPIZ) EUR 268 million at the annual level, said ZPIZ official Andraž Rangus after the council endorsed the rise on Wednesday.

The lowest pension as of 1 January will be EUR 294.78, the guaranteed pension EUR 653.75 and the lowest disability pension EUR 409.70.

Under the pension act, pensions are adjusted once a year of which 60% to the growth in average gross monthly pay in the past year, and 40% to growth in consumer prices.

Average gross monthly pay rose by 6.1% last year and consumer prices rose by an average 1.9%.

Pensions have already been raised once this year, to make up for the lag in pensions when those were frozen during years of austerity. In January those who retired by 2010 benefited from a 3.5% rise, those retiring in 2011 got a 1.7% rise and everyone else a 1.1% rise.

16 Feb 2022, 12:11 PM

Health, Social Care Workers Stage 1-Day Strike

STA, 15 February - Trade unions representing workers in health and social care maintain they will go on strike on Wednesday, as talks with the government on their strike demands, including a pay rise, have failed to make any meaningful progress, the unions told the STA.

The trade unions announced the strike in late January, saying the government had failed to resume talks by the agreed deadline, and they insist on it after the latest round of talks with Health Ministry representatives, as they believe the government has failed to resolve the situation.

The negotiations were held behind closed doors for several hours. On top of the same pay rise that the government endorsed for doctors and dentists, the unions' demands also include an improvement in working conditions.

"Today, as has been the case since the strike was announced, the trade unions' side has been striving to reach an agreement that would prevent Wednesday's strike," Irena Ilešič Čujovič, the head of the union of health and social care staff, told the press after today's talks.

She said that the trade unions had made very valid and specific proposals, and that they had also tried to explain their arguments for the strike agreement to the government's negotiating team today.

The trade unions were expecting a counter-proposal from the government that would show it is interested in resolving their strike demands.

"However, we're sad to note that the government has not reached out when it comes to the very minimum demands that the (...) trade unions had, so no agreement has been reached, and tomorrow the announced strike in healthcare and social care will be carried out," she added.

The government did endorse the negotiating positions on the matter, but the unions have expressed their disappointment over them, and the situation was exacerbated by negotiations with doctors and dentists, with whom the government had agreed to raise their salaries by six pay grades, some even by seven.

At the end of today's negotiations, the trade unions and the government reached an agreement on ensuring a minimum working process during the strike to safeguard the health and lives of Slovenian citizens.

The strike will include the cancellation of all non-emergency health services and the closure of pharmacies between 10am and 4pm, with the exception of those on call.

Public broadcaster RTV Slovenija meanwhile reported that the doctors' and dentists' trade union Fides held a meeting today to discuss the developments.

Fides has recently criticised Health Minister Janez Poklukar for, it said, rushing to put out the fire with pre-election "candies" instead of specific solutions that he had the opportunity to implement, meaning a pay rise for doctors and dentists.

This came after the Constitutional Court last week stayed, pending its final decision, the implementation of a provision in the latest Covid relief law that would raise the pay ceiling in the single public sector wage system only to the benefit of doctors and dentists.

According to unofficial sources of RTV Slovenija, Fides is not in favour of announcing a strike, but will insist on doctors and dentists exiting the single pay system.

Ilešič Čujovič said that the talks had taken into account the new situation following the court's decision with the trade unions representing workers in health and social care requesting that the further negotiations be concluded by 4 March. In an agreement reached in November, this deadline was set for 24 April, when the general election is due.

"We think that three weeks should be enough time to diagnose the problems that we are all aware of," she added.

Health Minister Janez Poklukar said that he saw no reasons for the strike, as eventually the issue had been raised over the changing of deadlines in an agreement that had already been reached last year.

"If we make some agreements, then it is usually fair for all of us to stick to them," the minister said, while calling the strike announcement a "legitimate tool of the trade unions" and regretting the decision.

Poklukar also regretted that the starting points for talks had not been prepared in time, while noting that the starting points adopted at the end of January were a good basis for negotiations and provided for broad dialogue and seeking of consensus.

Labour Minister Janez Cigler Kralj, who is also in charge of social affairs, said that the strike was irresponsible and unjustified and that the government was still willing to talk.

He noted that last November, the government had agreed with representative social care trade unions for a wage increase of between two and four brackets, and added that investing in employees, infrastructure and long-term care programmes remained the ministry's priorities.

The Association of Social Institutions of Slovenia meanwhile expressed support for the strike demands, noting that the existing standards and norms were outdated, as they had not been changed for decades, and they no longer meet the needs of beneficiaries.

Responding to the planned strike, the UKC Ljubljana medical centre said that after two years of the coronavirus epidemic, it was not possible to delay medical treatment without detrimental consequences for patients.

Therefore, scheduled examinations, treatments and operations are not to be postponed at the country's largest hospital in the wake of the strike. The UKC Ljubljana management added, though, that it respected the right of employees to strike.

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Real Estate in Slovenia