Employers Call on MPs to Halt Consolidation in Current Form

Bratislava, 19 September (TASR) - The National Union of Employers (RUZ) has called on MPs to halt the adoption of the consolidation bill in its current form in Parliament and has urged the government to immediately reconsider the manner in which consolidation measures are being prepared, TASR reported on Friday based on RUZ's announcement. RUZ also wants the government to open a genuine social dialogue with trade unions and employers and stop shifting responsibility onto future generations. If the government continues to push forward non-systematic and uncoordinated measures in the absence of a genuine dialogue with the social partners, the outflow of talent will accelerate even further. In addition, investors will seek other countries, the tax base will shrink rather than grow, and social tensions will rise, stated RUZ. "It is unacceptable that those who create value and pay taxes - namely employers and employees - should once again have to bear the brunt of consolidation," stressed RUZ president Miroslav Kiralvarga. RUZ has repeatedly criticised the fact that the social partners were not invited to take part in the drafting of individual consolidation measures. According to RUZ and trade unions, the government's argument that "they would not have reached an agreement anyway" is unacceptable. Employers' and trade unions' proposals seeking compromises on cost-reduction measures have been rejected, which clearly shows that the government isn't looking for a genuine discussion to find solutions, but instead wants to dictate its political will unilaterally without any feedback. The measures that are being adopted by the government will have an immediate and serious negative impact on the economy, leaving companies with fewer funds for investment, development and innovation. Amidst rising costs and instability, investment activity will be dampened, while employment will become even more expensive and less attractive, especially when it comes to qualified labour. This will slow down job creation and increase the pressure to move business activities abroad, stated RUZ. jrg/df