Monitor: Tomas: Korcok Should Be Employed by PS, Not Self-employed

(TA3,'V politike', 9 August) Opposition's Progressive Slovakia (PS) vice-chair Ivan Korcok should be employed by the party rather than setting up as a sole trader, Labour, Social Affairs and Family Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) declared on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, suggesting that such self-employment would constitute bogus self-employment. MP Marian Viskupic (SaS), also on the show, said Korcok would probably withstand the matter at the legislative level over receiving payment for his work for the party through his wife's company, but viewed it as a failure from a political and moral standpoint. According to Tomas, it is clear that Korcok wanted to avoid paying social and health insurance levies, and warned that the arrangement could constitute illegal employment, as a family member working for a family business must meet certain conditions. For example, they should not receive remuneration for their work and should be covered by pension insurance elsewhere. The minister expects the relevant authorities to examine the matter. Although Viskupic agreed that politicians should not seek to optimise their taxes and insurance contributions, he said there was a need to change the system so that people had no incentive to do so. In his view, the solution lies in simple, meaningful rules and lower taxes and insurance levies. The two politicians agreed that the state should not give up on people who are difficult to employ, although solutions in this area are long-term. Both agreed that the Slovak economy currently needs foreign workers. Tomas noted in this context that vacancies are mainly available for low-skilled workers, meaning Slovakia is not experiencing a shortage of highly qualified workers. Viskupic, however, sees this as a sign that Slovakia is failing to attract sophisticated jobs because of its poor business environment, while the best "brains" are leaving the country. The discussion also touched on widely reported doubts about the origin of the radars currently in pilot operation. According to Tomas, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) took the correct approach by asking the National Security Authority (NBU) to assess the matter and is also willing to appear before a parliamentary committee. Viskupic plans to wait for the authority's assessment first, but believes the contract should be published. He also expects fines to be issued for speeding by just a few kilometres per hour, although he believes Slovakia should be addressing other problems. According to Tomas, road safety is an important issue and it is right that Slovakia is developing a modern system. mf