Social Pacts in Slovenia: Social Agreement for the Period 2003-2005

Period: 2003-2005      

Negotiating Parties: The Government of the Republic of Slovenia, Employers Association of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Chamber of Craft of Slovenia, Association of Free Trade Unions, PERGAM Confederation of Trade Unions of Slovenia, ’90 Confederation of Trade Unions of Slovenia, Slovene Federation of Trade Unions, Workers’ Union of Slovenia, New Trade Union of Slovenia NSS, Police Union of Slovenia, Trade Union of Health and Social Services of Slovenia.

Objectives of the Agreement: Through social partnership, propose and enact strategies that promote sustainable social and economic growth.

Matters Agreed:

• Maintenance of the steady growth in prices and financial discipline consistent with the maintenance of a low level of inflation.
• More equal redistribution of fiscal burden throughout society through the use of progressive taxation.
• Efficient use and allocation of government spending; restructuring of government expenditure to promote economic growth.
• Enhancement of professional education; improvement of vocational curriculum.
• Economic and Social Council (ESC) remains the primary body of social dialogue within the Republic of Slovenia.
• Reduction in inflation through careful monitoring of the retail price index, as well as monetary exchange rates.
• Collective agreements will establish workplace wages; measures to promote workplace health and safety will follow EU guidelines.
• Establishment of sound social security for all citizens, including, inter alia, the promotion of family friendly policies and stimulating employment growth, specifically through education and skill development.
• Enhancement of labour market opportunities for the youth.
• Proactive health policies to protect the health and safety of human capital.
• Establishment of laws, whose provisions are unambiguous; improved efficiency of the legal court system.

Background: The impetus behind this social agreement was to continue to reinforce the goals set forth in the previous agreements, while simultaneously expanding the coverage to other important and emerging social issues.  It also served to provide continued support to the sustainable development of the economy and social dimension, and to reinforce the social partners’ and Government’s continued commitment to social dialogue as a means to solve Slovenia’s most difficult challenge—a goal that is especially critical as Slovenia approaches EU accession.