[Slovenia] Amended act on employment of foreigners passed

On March 26 Slovenia’s National Assembly passed amendments to the act on employment, self-employment and work of foreigners which transpose a major 2016 EU directive, Total Slovenia News reports.

The directive sets down the conditions of entry and residence of third-country citizens for the purposes of research, studies, pupil exchange, remunerated and unremunerated training, voluntary service and au pairing.

A new combined residency and work permit and a new temporary residence permit will be available under the amendments, which passed with a 47-12 vote. Additionally, there are new rules for temporary residence for foreign researchers wishing to work in Slovenia and for students who have completed studies in the country.

The second set of amendments were intended to curb abuses, like the practice of employers laying off workers after nine months and re-hiring them three months later.

Economy Ministry State Secretary Mateja Ribič told MPs, "This kind of optimisation by employers is not justified."

The majority of MPs endorsed the legislation for making Slovenia a more attractive destination for researchers and their family members as well as for students.

The only dissenting voices came from the Left and the National Party (SNS), the former reportedly suggesting that the government was adopting laws making it more difficult for foreigners to settle in Slovenia. SNS opposed the move on the grounds that there should be a decrease in the arrival of foreigners.

On March 26 Slovenia’s National Assembly passed amendments to the act on employment, self-employment and work of foreigners which transpose a major 2016 EU directive, Total Slovenia News reports.

The directive sets down the conditions of entry and residence of third-country citizens for the purposes of research, studies, pupil exchange, remunerated and unremunerated training, voluntary service and au pairing.

A new combined residency and work permit and a new temporary residence permit will be available under the amendments, which passed with a 47-12 vote. Additionally, there are new rules for temporary residence for foreign researchers wishing to work in Slovenia and for students who have completed studies in the country.

The second set of amendments were intended to curb abuses, like the practice of employers laying off workers after nine months and re-hiring them three months later.

Economy Ministry State Secretary Mateja Ribič told MPs, "This kind of optimisation by employers is not justified."

The majority of MPs endorsed the legislation for making Slovenia a more attractive destination for researchers and their family members as well as for students.

The only dissenting voices came from the Left and the National Party (SNS), the former reportedly suggesting that the government was adopting laws making it more difficult for foreigners to settle in Slovenia. SNS opposed the move on the grounds that there should be a decrease in the arrival of foreigners.