Survey: More than 60 percent of Firms in Slovakia Have Problem Filling Vacancies

Bratislava, September 28 (TASR) - Sixty-three percent of companies in Slovakia have a problem with filling vacancies, with 24 percent of them unable to staff all planned posts, according to the latest survey by the Talent Solutions personnel agency, recently presented by the British Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia. "The results of the survey attest to stabilisation on the Slovak labour market, but employers face challenges such as the brain drain and a lack of qualified labour," said the agency's general director Ivana Heretik Vacokova. According to her, 87 percent of firms have increased their employees' salaries, most of them by between 6-10 percent. Only 7 percent of companies have increased their employees' salaries by less than 3 percent. The survey also showed what rewards and benefits are most frequently provided by employers to their employees. In first place is a financial bonus for performed work, which is paid by 62 percent of companies. This is followed by bonuses related to the company's financial results and a 13th salary, which is paid by 42 percent of companies. The director further said that fluctuation among employees for the 2023-2024 period grew by 1.6 percent on average to 10.6 percent. While 48 percent of companies plan to increase the number of their employees, 17 percent cut their workforces when compared to the previous year. Employing foreign workers remains the biggest challenge for companies. One of the reasons for this is the administrative burden for employers who have to communicate with labour offices. As many as 54 percent of companies surveyed stated that they employ no foreigners. ko/df