Danko Saddened by President Kiska's Veto of Recreational Vouchers

Bratislava, November 9 (TASR) - Leader of the Slovak National Party (SNS) and House chair Andrej Danko is shocked by the decision of President Andrej Kiska, himself a native of High Tatras mountain range, to veto the recreational vouchers that are designed to bolster tourism and improve the situation of employees, TASR learnt on Friday. With his veto, the president does not object to the introduction of a recreational voucher and recreation allowance for employees. Kiska pointed out, however, that the approved law has invited discrimination by creating three different groups of employees in terms of entitlement to a recreation allowance, depending on whether or not they work in a company longer than two years, and whether the company employs fewer or more than 50 people. Some employees will enjoy a guaranteed contribution, some are not entitled to it at all, and others can obtain it via their employer's voluntary initiative. In his response, Danko argues that the contribution is to be introduced in a trial run for companies with a staff above 49. "It's a pilot introduction of an institute similar to the meal vouchers. In case it proves its worth, there's no problem introducing it also for smaller-sized firms." Due to the fact that the systemic measure calls for a certain administrative burden, SNS arrived at a compromise with representatives of the unions and employers. However, the measure is expected to apply to roughly 1.5 million people, including state administration employees, said Danko. "I'm incredibly saddened to learn that the Slovak President failed to display empathy towards Slovak workers and state employees. The only upside here is that he at least signed the reduced VAT on accommodation services," stated Danko, who voiced hope that the Parliament will override the presidential veto. "Mr. Parliamentary Chair apparently overlooked or didn't read reasons as to why the President vetoed the bill. By exercising the veto, the President took the side of the very workers and other employees gratuitously discriminated against by the Parliament in their eligibility for the recreational contribution," responded President's communication advisor Roman Krpelan. mf