Tomas: Tripartite Greenlights Social Services Reform and Other Legislation

Bratislava, 24 November (TASR) - The tripartite has okayed the social services financing reform and an amendment to the Social Economy and Social Enterprises Act drawn up by the Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry, including a price regulation decree prepared by the Office for the Regulation of Network Industries (URSO), said Labour Minister Erik Tomas on Monday following a meeting of the Economic and Social Council (HSR). "The social partners agreed, some with comments, others without, but both of these key laws gained the trust of the tripartite," said Tomas, adding that the bills drafted by the Labour Ministry will be discussed under a fast-tracked legislative procedure during Parliament's session in November. He added that the social services financing reform was prepared in cooperation with the social partners. As regards the amendment to the Social Economy and Social Enterprises Act, systemic changes will be set in cooperation with the Supreme Audit Office (NKU SR) in order to preserve social enterprises that genuinely meet their purpose, while driving cheats from the market. According to Tomas, the rules may be adjusted if the ministry finds them to be too strict. As regards price regulation in the electricity sector, the social partners also okayed a draft URSO decree and its effective date. The decree increases the price of electricity for vulnerable customers, including households, from €61 per megawatt-hour (MWh) to €72.7/MWh, while also increasing a coefficient applied in price calculations for 2026 to 1.429719. "The government will compensate energy prices with so-called energy aid - meaning that 90 percent of households will be entitled to receiving this aid, which needs to be said in connection with this decree," added Tomas. jrg/df