LIVING & WORKING CONDITIONS European Job Day Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017 Tvoje
BASIC DATA Capital city: Bratislava Official language: Slovak Population: 5.4 million Surface area: 49 035 km 2 Date of formation: 1 January 1993 Currency: EURO (since 1 January 2009) Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Self-governing regions Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
MAIN INDUSTRIES automobile industry (Volskwagen, Kia Motors, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Jaguar Land Rover); electrical engineering (Samsung, Foxconn, Whirlpool); steel industry (U.S. Steel); food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; textiles; rubber products EXPORT GOODS machinery and electrical equipment 35.9%, vehicles 21.0%, base metals 11.3%, chemicals and minerals 8.1%, plastics 4.9% (2009) MAIN EXPORT PARTNERS Germany 22.4% Czech Republic 14.6% Poland 8.6% Hungary 7.8% Austria 7.1% France 5.6% Italy 4.9% United Kingdom 4.1% Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Working & Living conditions REGISTRATION PROCEDURES Citizens from an EU/EEA country are not required to have any permit and no restrictions are applied to them when they enter the labour market of the Slovak Republic. You do not need a work permit. If you stay in Slovakia for less than 3 months, all you need is a valid identity card or passport. If an EU national intends to stay in Slovakia for longer than 3 months, s/he is required to declare the start and place of residence to the local immigration police department within 10 working days from the date of entry to the Slovak Republic. You have to submit: valid travel document (ID card or passport) 2 photos (3 cm x 3,5 cm) and employment contract (if you work) You receive a registration certificate. Similarly, the relatives of citizens of EU/EEC member states are also entitled to have their permanent residence in Slovakia. Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Working conditions & Finding a job LANGUAGE SKILLS Slovakia is an export-oriented economy workforce with a high degree of language skills. Most often spoken languages: English German (proximity to Austria and Germany) Both taught already at primary schools Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Working conditions & Finding a job HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB Your own initiative (work of my dreams) Social contacts (family, friends) Help of professionals (Office of Labour, EURES services, personal agencies...) Look for as much information as your can find about - the employer - the job vacancy Be prepared to ask and answer the questions, e.g. How much money would you like to earn? Why do you think you are the right person for our company? What do you know about us? Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Working conditions & Finding a job CURRICULUM VITAE + photo Letter of Motivation - think about your relevant experience strenghts and weaknesses be creative and persuasive I m the best one WARNINGS in the most cases you will need speak Slovak don t be too familiar ( hey inga, I like to work for you.. ) be on time dress code take your documents (diplomas, certificates) to the interview - Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Working conditions & Finding a job THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT Employment is established in the form of a written employment contract concluded between the employer and the employee based on the Labour Code. A valid employment contract must be concluded no later than the start of employment (first day of work). The employer is required to provide a written copy of the contract to the employee. The employment contract serves as a proof that both parties agreed upon the following main characteristics of the job: Job description Place of work (the location and the organisational unit or otherwise specified premises) Date of commencement of employment Wage conditions, unless agreed in a collective agreement In the employment contract the employer must also state other terms and conditions, including pay days, working time, length of holidays and the period for giving notice. The contract may also specify other terms and conditions that the parties wish to include. Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Source: Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (data to August 2017) Unemployment UNEMPLOYMENT LABOUR MARKET SITUATION Economically active population: 2 725 838 Number or registered jobseekers: 209 918 Unemployment rate (August/2017): 7,70% Significant regional and sectoral differences Unemployment by age
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Unemployment rate by regions August 2017 Source: Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (data to August 2017) Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Labour market situation LABOUR MARKET SHORTAGES (Future labour market needs) Healthcare: medical doctors, specialists in nursing, qualified nurses Education: teachers at all types of schools Administration: experts in accounting Agriculture: technicians and livestock keepers Industry: welders, cutters, metalworkers, mechanics and fitters, qualified industrial machines operators Construction: civil engineers, plumbers and pipe fitters, electricians Transport and storage: heavy truck, bus/tram, forklift drivers Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Labour market situation LABOUR MARKET SURPLUSES Unqualified workers without education Elementary occupations manipulation workers, industrial helpers, cleaners, assemblers, shop assistants... Construction - masons, construction workers Humanities graduates, sales representatives Reasons: Lack of interest for jobseekers without qualification / work experience / long-term unemployed Low interest of jobseekers in some vacancies due to relatively low salary or working conditions Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Labour market situation MINIMUM AND AVERAGE WAGE Statutory minimum wage for 2017: Average monthly wage (2016): AVERAGE WAGE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES Average monthly gross wage (data to 12/2013) 435 gross/ month 2,50 gross / hour 912 912 brutto/ 701 netto 821 / 641 839 / 652 736 / 582 860 / 665 1 205 / 902 798 / 622 789 / 615 883 / 682
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Taxes PERSONAL INCOME TAX Income tax rate in Slovakia is progressive, i.e. depends on the amount of income of a taxpayer: 19 % tax rate - if tax basis up to 2 886,81 /monthly 25 % tax rate if tax basis is higher withheld from salary, monthly, by employer no specific fiscal or social number needed Value added tax (VAT) is governed by Act No 222/2004 on value added tax, as amended. Consumption is taxed by means of VAT. Basic VAT rate 20% Reduced VAT rate 10% medicinal and medical products, books Useful websites: www.finance.gov.sk (The Ministry of Finance), www.drsr.sk (Financial Directorate), www.financnasprava.sk, www.socpoist.sk (Social Insurance Agency) Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Social security and Health insurance SOCIAL SECURITY and HEALTH INSURANCE The obligation to contribute to social insurance is a legal obligation. The social insurance system consists of five separate insurance systems that are carried out by the Social Insurance Agency: sickness insurance, pension insurance old age and disability insurance, accident insurance (Insurance for Industrial and Work-related Injuries), wage-guarantee insurance unemployment insurance. The following deductions are made from an employee s gross monthly wage: Health insurance 4 % (you must be insured it s obligatory) Sickness insurance 1.4 % Old age benefit insurance 4 % Disability insurance 3 % Unemployment insurance 1 % Slovakia Total: L&W Conditions 13.4 % European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Unemployment UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT Unemployed persons can receive unemployment benefit if they have paid unemployment insurance contributions for at least two of the three years preceding their registration as jobseekers. Unemployment benefit is paid for a maximum of 6 months. The beneficiary will receive an allowance equal to 50% of the daily assessment basis. The benefit is disbursed by the Social Insurance Agency. Source: FRED Economic Data (data to 5/ 2017) Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Tourism TOURISM CULTURAL LIFE The most popular sports are ice-hockey, football, tennis, cycling, water sports and more recently also golf. Skiing is a popular winter sport. natural landscapes, mountains, caves, medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas and ski resorts folk tradition wooden folk architecture (UNESCO) Tatra mountains (Low, High Tatras) Gerlachovský štít 2655 m coat of arms 9 national parks 5 UNESCO caves traditional cuisine Useful websites: www.culture.gov.sk ww.slovakiasite.com www.sacr.sk Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017
Thank you for your attention! Gabriela Hájeková, EURES Adviser Oľga Matochová, EURES Adviser Central office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family Slovakia gabriela.hajekova@upsvr.gov.sk, +421 34 2440 303 olga.matochova@upsvr.gov.sk, +421 42 2440 303 Slovakia L&W Conditions European Job Day, Zagreb, Croatia, 18th October 2017